The existing system of automatic driving, forced to rely on a combination of different types of sensors to provide reliable object recognition and evaluation of their parameters in all road and weather conditions. For example, the camera can not rely exclusively in low-light and ultrasonic sensors and radars do not allow to form a unique representation of the object under study.
According to the publication 9to5 Google with reference to the statements of the head Tesla Motors, Elon Musk , it is not considered mandatory to use autopilot system of so-called lidar - systems that scan the area with the help of laser beams reflected by the object. Sensors of this type are installed on the roof of autonomous vehicles Google, they issue a prototype distance in the transport stream.
Musk says that he is not a supporter of using lidar systems of autonomous driving. According to him, it is enough to use a combination of cameras covering 360 degrees around the vehicle located in front and radar, based on the scan area with the help of reflected radio waves. It is equally important to provide some redundancy, because in this case on the reliability of all vehicle systems human life depends. Cameras Drives controls, electronic components . By the way, Elon Musk is not opposed to the use of lidar in general - SpaceX spacecraft to dock with the space station using precisely such sensors. Just Musk believes that the vehicles do not need them.