| Cameras (CMOS) |
High resolution; color and texture recognition; low cost |
No inherent depth; poor performance in low light and glare |
ADAS vision, robotics navigation, consumer imaging |
| LiDAR |
Direct 3D depth mapping; accurate range; robust to lighting conditions |
High cost; bulky optics; limited range in heavy rain/fog |
Autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial robotics, mapping |
| Radar |
Long-range detection; works in poor weather; velocity measurement |
Low resolution; cannot easily distinguish object shapes |
Adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, drone altimeters |
| Infrared / Thermal (IR) |
Detects heat signatures; works in darkness; useful for safety monitoring |
Lower spatial resolution; higher cost than cameras; niche uses |
Driver monitoring, pedestrian detection, robotics safety, defense |
