Velodyne Challenges Tesla Autonomy ClaimsMay 2, 2019|In Media Coverage|By Albie Jarvis
Media turned to the industry leader for expert comments when
Tesla founder Elon Musk dismissed the need for lidar in self-driving vehicles.
Velodyne’s President and CBDO Marta Hall took a strong stand
that challenged Tesla to publish test results and comparisons to back up Musk’s
claims.
In a story
by Cromwell Schubarth in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Hall said, “Tesla’s
claim that its Autopilot feature is ‘almost autonomous’ is untrue.”
The article cites Hall as saying:
“Not until we see published test results and comparisons
that a Tesla can ‘see just fine,’ without a Lidar, can claims be trusted.
Without lidar, the system is missing crucial 3D vision with 3D data points for
collision avoidance and advanced autonomous navigation. Musk brought us
innovation, but not quality when it comes to safety.”
Other media also picked up on Hall’s commentary.
Sasha Lekach wrote in a Mashable
story how Hall “shredded Musk’s ‘claims’ about deploying Teslas without a
driver and without ‘lame’ LiDAR sensors.”
The Mashable story noted Velodyne has invited Musk to speak
at the World Safety
Summit to discuss any evidence behind his claims.
In a SlashGear
article, Chris Davies observed how the news that Nikon will begin mass
production of Velodyne sensors “could well represent a tipping point” to having
“Level 4 or Level 5 vehicles roaming public roads,” countering Musk’s claim
lidar sensors are unnecessary.
Independent industry experts recognize lidar as essential
sensor technology for vehicle autonomy and driver assistance. Lidar provides
rich computer perception data that allows real-time object and free space
detection for safe navigation and reliable operation.
All the stories can be read here:
Silicon Valley Business Journal
For Velodyne Lidar products click HERE