Laser lighting, LiFi and LiDAR – Enabling transportation safety and autonomy
WiFi is embedded in our lives today. The term originated about four decades ago (as a marketing ploy, designed to rhyme with the term “Hi-Fi”) and has revolutionized personal communications, internet access, social media and the Internet of Things (IoT). WiFi uses modulated radio waves for short-range wireless data communications. DSRC (dedicated short-range communications). The technology proved critical during the recent pandemic, allowing students to continue learning and many professionals to work remotely. At this point, it is a basic staple of life – like water and electricity. LiFi uses the same idea, except it uses modulated visible light rather than radio waves. It is poised to revolutionize multiple applications, a key one being V2X (Vehicle to X where X could be vehicles, traffic infrastructure, roadway lighting, etc.) communications which is a critical enabler for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVE).