Automakers keep faith in LiDAR with multiple systems due for launch by 2022

It was important for cost-sensitive automakers to have the LiDAR debate, which centred around three questions: can LiDAR enable autonomy, can its cost be brought under control, and is autonomy worth it? The answer from many is yes to all three. Tesla remains the only household name that has taken an anti-LiDAR stance. Chief Executive Elon Musk’s voice may be louder than others, but the company’s global market share remains at just 0.5%. This would suggest that for now, in the absence of a cheaper, effective method of 3D-scanning, the debate has tipped strongly in LiDAR’s favour.