Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, continues to criticize LiDAR technology, asserting that it does not enhance autonomous driving safety and may actually increase risks due to sensor conflicts [1][3]. Group 1: Tesla's Position on LiDAR - Musk has previously compared LiDAR to "an expensive appendix," indicating a long-standing skepticism towards the technology [3]. - Tesla has shifted to a "pure vision" approach, eliminating radar sensors from its vehicles, including the newly launched Model 3 [3]. - The core reason for Musk's opposition to LiDAR is the inconsistency in sensor data, which creates decision-making challenges for the system [3]. Group 2: Cost Considerations - Musk highlights the high costs associated with LiDAR technology as a significant factor in his opposition [3]. - Solid-state LiDAR costs have reportedly decreased significantly, with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stating that the cost is now around $500, making it more acceptable for use [5]. Group 3: Diverging Opinions in the Industry - The autonomous driving industry is divided into two camps: those supporting LiDAR, including companies like Ideal, Huawei, and NIO, and those like Tesla that oppose it [5]. - Li Auto's CEO Li Xiang argues that the decision to retain LiDAR in Chinese vehicles is due to different road conditions in China compared to the U.S. [5]. - Li Xiang emphasizes that the challenges of driving at night in China, such as encountering poorly lit trucks, make LiDAR advantageous due to its superior visibility in low-light conditions [7].