Is solid-state LiDAR the key to autonomous driving?

The technology for autonomous vehicles has been around for a while, and major automakers and tech companies worldwide have invested billions of dollars in making it a reality. But according to industry analysts, it will be years before the automotive industry evolves to the point where most driving conditions can be handled by vehicles entirely independently without human intervention. Real-life situations, including making split-second decisions, dealing with quickly changing weather, and being able to see another motorist at a crosswalk, are best left to an attentive driver. Technology may be very useful; in some cases, when used appropriately, some of the modern automobile assist systems can even save lives. But driving is challenging; there are many types of roads, lanes, and weather conditions, so taking the same course of action is only sometimes the best.