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LIDAR is absolutely the technically superior approach compared to photogrammetry + ML but is cost-prohibitive (in Tesla's view) Personally, I'll never trust th

by everly 4y ago

LIDAR is absolutely the technically superior approach compared to photogrammetry + ML but is cost-prohibitive (in Tesla's view) Personally, I'll never trust their self-driving product for anything more than lane-keeping unless they incorporate LIDAR

jfengel 4y ago
LIDAR would certainly solve the problem of crashes, which is indeed a serious issue. But I don't see how you could drive with it. It couldn't identify lane markings or exits or traffic lights or cones. And if you can do that well, you should be able to avoid hitting things. Clearly Tesla hasn't solved that and maybe never will. But adding LIDAR wouldn't really solve the problem.
- irjustin 4y ago
  It's not LIDAR alone it's a combo. The problem of course is that Tesla/Elon is being stubborn and unwilling to put the "expensive" lidar claiming that pictures is enough to work on. Maybe it is, but not today.
  - tpmx 4y ago
    Volvo seems to be getting it right hardware-wise with it's forthcoming EX90 (electric XC90). 250 meter range LIDAR (kept clear from ice, snow and dirt by it's own heat emisssions and nozzles at the end of the windshield wipers - you can tell it's not designed in California), 5 radars, 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors.
    - irjustin 4y ago
      That's amazing. Mercedes has the first certified level 3. Only a few states, but the rest will come. Tesla is falling behind due to its hubris.
      - rblatz 4y ago
        I also think they haven’t figured out how to do the sensor fusion with the compute available.
        pas 4y ago
        their real problem is frame to frame consistency, due to lack of a world model. this is what Elon talked with Lex a year (or two?) ago. (they mentioned it as how to know you are in a school zone, and remember you are in a school zone, etc)
        rblatz 4y ago
        Sounds like they're working on the world model at least in places. With the removal of the parking sensors, they've started remembering obstructions that are now out of the cameras' vision.

by everly 4y ago

jfengel 4y ago

LIDAR would certainly solve the problem of crashes, which is indeed a serious issue. But I don't see how you could drive with it. It couldn't identify lane markings or exits or traffic lights or cones. And if you can do that well, you should be able to avoid hitting things. Clearly Tesla hasn't solved that and maybe never will. But adding LIDAR wouldn't really solve the problem.

irjustin 4y ago
It's not LIDAR alone it's a combo. The problem of course is that Tesla/Elon is being stubborn and unwilling to put the "expensive" lidar claiming that pictures is enough to work on. Maybe it is, but not today.
- tpmx 4y ago
  Volvo seems to be getting it right hardware-wise with it's forthcoming EX90 (electric XC90). 250 meter range LIDAR (kept clear from ice, snow and dirt by it's own heat emisssions and nozzles at the end of the windshield wipers - you can tell it's not designed in California), 5 radars, 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors.
  - irjustin 4y ago
    That's amazing. Mercedes has the first certified level 3. Only a few states, but the rest will come. Tesla is falling behind due to its hubris.
    - rblatz 4y ago
      I also think they haven’t figured out how to do the sensor fusion with the compute available.
      - pas 4y ago
        their real problem is frame to frame consistency, due to lack of a world model. this is what Elon talked with Lex a year (or two?) ago. (they mentioned it as how to know you are in a school zone, and remember you are in a school zone, etc)
        rblatz 4y ago
        Sounds like they're working on the world model at least in places. With the removal of the parking sensors, they've started remembering obstructions that are now out of the cameras' vision.