Summary
- The debate over whether robotaxis need lidar, or if cameras alone are enough, is ongoing
- Tesla’s approach to robotaxis is based on "vision" only, without the use of lidar or radar
- Li Auto CEO Li Xiang believes that lidar is necessary for robotaxis, especially in China where there are hazards that cameras alone may not be able to detect
- Elon Musk argues against the use of lidar, stating that it adds complexity to the system
- The future of Tesla’s robotaxis depends on Full Self Driving (FSD) reaching a high enough level using cameras only, while other companies continue to expand their robotaxi services and bring down costs.
Article
The debate over whether robotaxis need lidar or if cameras alone are sufficient has been ongoing for quite some time. While companies operating robotaxis in various locations around the world use lidar, Elon Musk has been advocating for a vision-only approach that eliminates the need for lidar and even radar. Li Auto CEO Li Xiang shared his opinion on the matter, stating that hazards in China, such as trucks with broken taillights on main roads, may be hard to detect with cameras alone. He believes that lidar, which can detect objects up to 200 meters away, provides an added layer of safety that cameras cannot match.
Elon Musk has argued that lidar is an unnecessary expense that complicates the system by requiring the core brain of the vehicle to determine which sensors to prioritize. Other experts argue that having multiple sensors like cameras and lidar is crucial for ensuring the safety of the vehicles. Cameras may not catch everything, and neither will lidar, but together they can provide a more comprehensive view of the surroundings. Li Xiang emphasizes the importance of safety, especially since their vehicles are family-oriented, which is why they continue to utilize lidar in their models.
Tesla’s future success is heavily reliant on its Full Self Driving (FSD) technology reaching a level where it can operate autonomously using only cameras. While other companies have been rolling out commercial robotaxi services, they are not designed to be widely operational across the globe. Musk’s vision is to have FSD technology that can be used anywhere, which would significantly increase the value of Tesla vehicles. However, the success of this vision depends on whether vision-only systems are truly adequate and if robotaxis can operate without the need for lidar or radar.
There are still many unanswered questions surrounding the debate over the necessity of lidar in robotaxis. As the discussion continues, there is uncertainty about how quickly Tesla can achieve a high enough level of FSD and whether the market for robotaxis will be mature by that time. The value of Tesla vehicles hinges on the success of their autonomous driving technology and whether it can surpass the competition from companies utilizing lidar. The future of robotaxis and the role of lidar in their operation remain key focal points in the ongoing discussion.
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