Some of the equipment for Google’s car is still expensive:
But Google’s lidar is far more complex, consisting of 64 infrared lasers that spin inside a housing atop the car to take measurements in all horizontal directions. (Lidar systems like this are also very expensive — about $70,000 a unit — so cost and complexity will have to come down before they can be widely used.)
The lidar is the most expensive component and several companies have promised bringing much cheaper lidars to market over the next couple years. I expect the typical drastic reductions in cost as they start being produced in large numbers.
Some of the equipment for Google’s car is still expensive:
The lidar is the most expensive component and several companies have promised bringing much cheaper lidars to market over the next couple years. I expect the typical drastic reductions in cost as they start being produced in large numbers.