This has also been done using SICK coffeepot-style 2D LIDAR units (such rigs tend to be large and heavy, tho).
Yes. Had one of those once. Worse, we had the weatherproof SICK unit, which is even bigger. We prepared for the DARPA Grand Challenge expecting much more off-road. Way too much skid plate stuff, armored cables inside mesh washing machine hoses, sensor cleaning with washer fluid and compressed error, stuff like that. Totally unnecessary, as it turned out.
Something I've often considered is the idea of a "stochastic" scanner
Someone sells one of those. There are two unsynchronized scan axes. More for stationary than for moving applications.
Yes. Had one of those once. Worse, we had the weatherproof SICK unit, which is even bigger. We prepared for the DARPA Grand Challenge expecting much more off-road. Way too much skid plate stuff, armored cables inside mesh washing machine hoses, sensor cleaning with washer fluid and compressed error, stuff like that. Totally unnecessary, as it turned out.
Something I've often considered is the idea of a "stochastic" scanner
Someone sells one of those. There are two unsynchronized scan axes. More for stationary than for moving applications.