Which of the following is a drawback of RADAR technology compared to LIDAR?

The correct answer highlights that RADAR technology generally achieves less precise measurements compared to LIDAR. This is primarily due to the longer wavelengths used in RADAR, which are in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The longer wavelengths result in lower resolution and accuracy when distinguishing between closely spaced objects or fine details in a target.

LIDAR, on the other hand, utilizes shorter wavelengths in the near-infrared spectrum. This allows LIDAR systems to provide higher resolution data, which is essential in applications such as autonomous vehicles, where precise measurements of the surrounding environment are crucial for decision-making and safety.

By comparison, RADAR is better suited for longer-range detection and can penetrate through certain environmental conditions (like fog and rain), but it sacrifices the fine detail that LIDAR can offer. This fundamental difference in wavelength and technology leads to RADAR's limitations in providing detailed and precise measurements, making it less effective in certain scenarios where accuracy is critical.