Question

How is GEOMETRIC OPTICS relevant to the development of autonomous or semi-autonomous technology and include? How is Magnetic field relevant to the development of autonomous or semi-autonomous technology and include?

Answer 1

The field of geometric optics has extensive applications in the development of automation. Most of the present work on autonomous vehicles is based on LIDAR and other laser sensing technologies. Besides LIDAR, fiber-optic gyros(FOGs) are also used to build sensor systems needed for controlling autonomous cars with high accuracy. Using optical fiber for data transmission is advantageous in electrical autonomous systems since the noise and EM interference is avoided greatly. Smart Lighting is yet another example of optics being used to build autonomous vehicles.

Magnetic fields on the other hand are commonly used for implementing the sensor system required for controlling and automated/semi-automated system. The magnetic sensor determines to what extent the vehicle has deviated from its intended path and provides the information to the motor controller, which will then adjust the vehicle's trajectory accordingly.