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LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

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Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#3
I have a question about self-driving cars (SDCs).

Some time ago it was mentioned that SDCs can't use deep-learning because it is not sufficiently reliable, and that instead techniques like LiDAR should be used to recognize objects.

However, this made me wonder: how does the car recognize road-signs and traffic lights?

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#4
post #3

I have a question about self-driving cars (SDCs). Some time ago it was mentioned that SDCs can't use deep-learning because it is not sufficiently reliable, and that instead techniques like LiDAR should be used to recognize objects. However, this made me wonder: how does the car recognize road-signs and traffic lights?

I think you're confusing things. Deep Learning is a method of machine learning. LiDAR is a tool that collects depth data. Using Deep Learning on flat image data to try and detect depth is unreliable, hence SDCs use LiDAR to detect depth. They also use image data from the visible spectrum and beyond to read road signs. etc.

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#5
post #3

I have a question about self-driving cars (SDCs). Some time ago it was mentioned that SDCs can't use deep-learning because it is not sufficiently reliable, and that instead techniques like LiDAR should be used to recognize objects. However, this made me wonder: how does the car recognize road-signs and traffic lights?

The car sends a photo of the sign back to google and a user decodes it in a CAPTCHA.

(I'm mostly joking, but the answer does seem to involve big databases of what the signs and roads are expected to be. I'm not convinced that most of the current "self-driving" solutions can cope with roadworks, traffic cones, diversions etc)

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#7
post #3

I have a question about self-driving cars (SDCs). Some time ago it was mentioned that SDCs can't use deep-learning because it is not sufficiently reliable, and that instead techniques like LiDAR should be used to recognize objects. However, this made me wonder: how does the car recognize road-signs and traffic lights?

[deleted]

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#8
post #6

Has anyone seen any nice examples of work done with the open LiDAR data?

A friend of mine made https://github.com/catenoid/Shadow-Map

Uses UK LIDAR data to show shadow maps. This can be used to show urban areas which are permanently in shadow. Or just as a cool way to map the country.

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#9
post #2

For those unaware, all scientific press releases in the UK must express areas in football pitches, and volumes in double-decker buses.

I disagree. IMHO "area the size of Wales" is more commonly used. For everyday magnitudes the nanoWales [1] may be more convenient.

[1] https://www.theregister.co.uk/Design/page/reg-standards-conv...

Re: LiDAR scans are finding hidden Roman roads and cutting crime

#10
post #3

I have a question about self-driving cars (SDCs). Some time ago it was mentioned that SDCs can't use deep-learning because it is not sufficiently reliable, and that instead techniques like LiDAR should be used to recognize objects. However, this made me wonder: how does the car recognize road-signs and traffic lights?

You can use a combination of sensors. Many use a camera + LiDAR + radar, some use just camera + radar. So... object detection + computer vision. I personally don't think the LiDAR is necessary or feasible.
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