How Advances in LiDAR and Radar Are Accelerating Driving Autonomy

June 27, 2025 - A new wave of technological improvements in LiDAR and radar systems is helping autonomous driving edge closer to everyday reality, according to a recent report by Forbes contributor Sabbir Rangwala.

LiDAR and Radar Get Smarter, Smaller, and Sharper

Modern LiDAR systems are now significantly more compact, more affordable, and more capable. The latest solid-state designs deliver higher resolution and longer ranges, all while shrinking to sizes that can be embedded discreetly into vehicle bodywork. Industry leaders such as Velodyne, Innoviz, and Luminar are spearheading these changes, positioning LiDAR as a core sensor for achieving SAE Level 2 and 3 autonomy in production vehicles.

Meanwhile, radar has undergone a parallel evolution. New 4D millimeter-wave radar technology captures not only the range and velocity of objects, but also precise elevation data and movement signatures. This allows radar to detect and distinguish pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists—even in poor weather or when visibility is obstructed. With machine learning–based object classification becoming standard, radar is now far more than a basic proximity tool.

Sensor Fusion Is the Real Game Changer

The article emphasizes that while LiDAR and radar each offer unique advantages, their true potential is realized when combined with camera systems in an AI-driven sensor fusion architecture. Through deep learning, vehicles can make sense of massive streams of raw sensor data in real time, creating a unified, detailed model of the environment around them.

This multi-modal fusion is crucial to building the kind of redundancy and situational awareness required for autonomous driving to become safe and scalable. No single sensor is infallible, but together, they offer overlapping capabilities that dramatically improve perception accuracy and system robustness.

OEMs and Roadmaps to Autonomy

Major automakers are taking note. Brands like Volkswagen and Audi are already integrating advanced sensing technologies into their upcoming ADAS platforms. Some, like Mercedes-Benz, have launched limited Level 3 features, with others poised to follow suit. As regulatory frameworks mature and infrastructure adapts, these sensor systems will form the backbone of next-gen autonomy.

Forbes concludes that while full autonomy is still a complex challenge, the critical hardware for perception is no longer the bottleneck. Thanks to advances in LiDAR and radar—coupled with sensor fusion and deep learning—the road to driverless technology is becoming increasingly navigable.

Based on: “Advances in LiDAR and Radar Accelerate Driving Autonomy” by Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, June 27, 2025

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