Vehicle-based lidar systems and methods are disclosed using multiple
lasers to provide more compact and cost-effective lidar functionality.
Each laser in an array of lasers can be sequentially activated so that a
corresponding optical element mounted with respect to the array of lasers
produces respective interrogation beams in substantially different
directions. Light from these beams is reflected by objects in a vehicle's
environment, and detected so as to provide information about the objects
to vehicle operators and/or passengers.