The actual problem statement is can such a system do so safely. If it is just to drive a car all you need are some stepper motors and a raspberry pi. The goal

The actual problem statement is can such a system do so safely. If it is just to drive a car all you need are some stepper motors and a raspberry pi. The goal is to reduce accident and fatalities not eliminate jobs . If LiDAR has 1/10th the fatality rate of camera setup and is less costlier than 10x the value of human life(as used in legal proceedings) then it still the only viable option