Lidar

Huawei’s Richard Yu is challenging LiDAR skepticism with the new AITO M7, showcasing its ADS 4.0’s ability to navigate complex urban environments in Chongqing. The system utilizes a multi-sensor approach, including LiDAR, contrasting with Tesla’s camera-only strategy. Huawei claims the AITO M7 successfully navigated numerous challenges on the first attempt, attributing its capabilities to their intelligent driving technology and LiDAR. The debate revolves around the necessity of LiDAR for fully autonomous driving versus reliance on cameras. Widespread adoption depends on long-term performance and regulatory approval.

In 2025, Elon Musk advocated for AI, digital neural networks, and cameras as the optimal solution for autonomous driving, emphasizing that the world’s road systems are designed for visual perception. He views lidar as problematic for safety, while opposing voices from companies such as Huawei champion lidar technology for its safety benefits. The article highlights the limitations of lidar in terms of weather sensitivity and information density compared to high-resolution cameras.