> Both from the technical and the marketing point of view having a car that can do better than any human ever could, even in the most optimal of conditions would be a great thing.
Given that the leading causes for road accidents are speeding, DUI and distractions [1], a car doesn't need to be better than any human reasonably can. It just needs to be on the same level as a well-rested, sober human without a phone in their hand.
The decision LIDAR vs cameras is the pareto principle in action: what matters is the 80% - the mass that causes the most accidents.
Given that the leading causes for road accidents are speeding, DUI and distractions [1], a car doesn't need to be better than any human reasonably can. It just needs to be on the same level as a well-rested, sober human without a phone in their hand.
The decision LIDAR vs cameras is the pareto principle in action: what matters is the 80% - the mass that causes the most accidents.
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffi...