Does Cruise Use Lidar?

By Michael Ferguson

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology that uses lasers to create high-resolution maps of the surrounding area. It has become increasingly popular in the self-driving car industry as a way to detect obstacles and navigate roads. But does Cruise, a leading self-driving car company, use Lidar in their vehicles?

The answer is yes and no. Cruise does incorporate Lidar into their autonomous vehicle technology, but it’s not the only sensor they rely on. In fact, Cruise’s approach to self-driving cars involves using a combination of sensors, including cameras, radar, and Lidar.

So why does Cruise use multiple sensors instead of relying solely on Lidar? One reason is cost.

Lidar technology can be expensive, with some units costing tens of thousands of dollars. By using a combination of sensors, Cruise can reduce costs while still maintaining a high level of accuracy and safety.

Another advantage of using multiple sensors is redundancy. If one type of sensor fails or becomes obstructed (such as during inclement weather), the other sensors can compensate and ensure safe driving.

But just because Cruise doesn’t rely solely on Lidar doesn’t mean it’s not an important part of their technology. In fact, Cruise has developed its own custom Lidar unit that they claim is more accurate and reliable than off-the-shelf models.

Cruise’s custom Lidar unit uses a technique called “frequency modulated continuous wave” (FMCW) to generate precise measurements of the surrounding environment. FMCW works by emitting laser signals at different frequencies and measuring the time it takes for those signals to bounce back from objects in the environment.

Overall, while Cruise uses multiple sensors in its self-driving cars, including cameras and radar, Lidar remains an important component of their technology stack. By developing their own custom unit and using it in conjunction with other sensors, Cruise is able to create a robust autonomous driving system that prioritizes safety and reliability.