[amelius]

An obvious disadvantage is that you don't have LIDAR inputs. I guess it would be rather difficult to hack ETS such that it generates them.

[rzzzt]

The contents of the z-buffer could be a close approximate.

[wyager]

I'm not sure. LIDAR is just about the simplest thing to render in a simulation: a relatively small number of ray-scene intersections.

[CardenB]

Simulating lidar returns in a way that has noise similar to real devices is difficult

[sytelus]

Indeed. There are tons of things that happen in real world lidar. For ex, if object is too close it may not detect. When you are going at high speed, returned light ray may arrive early or late giving bit of error. Also, think about multiple reflections, noise, cone size and so on.

[uhhhouses]

Tell that to tesla !