What detection technique does LIDAR use to avoid obstacles in autonomous vehicles?

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) utilizes the time-of-flight measurement of laser pulses to detect obstacles in its environment, making this answer the most accurate. In this technique, LIDAR emits laser beams towards an object and measures the time it takes for the reflected light to return to the sensor. The distance to the object can then be calculated using the speed of light, allowing the system to create a precise three-dimensional map of the surroundings.

This time-of-flight method is essential for autonomous vehicles as it enables them to detect and track obstacles with high accuracy and at various distances, ensuring safe navigation. The ability to measure distances rapidly and in real-time is crucial for the dynamic operation of self-driving vehicles, where immediate responses to obstacles are necessary.

Other methods like frequency modulation and signal processing of radar waves are more aligned with RADAR technology rather than LIDAR. Laser beam scattering, while it can happen when laser light hits an object, does not fundamentally describe how LIDAR measures distances or avoids obstacles in the context of an autonomous vehicle's navigation system.