[MrQuincle]

Solid state should be cheap.

The real problem is that LIDAR instead of better "stereo camera data processing" is development in hardware rather than brainware (AI).

There is indeed a lot that needs to be developed w.r.t. brainware. However, I'm pretty sure it doesn't need to be recouped through selling cars. Brainware is valuable in many more applications.

1. Accessing the internet through Google vs Viv. 2. Household robots vs cars. 3. Agriculture.