US Patent 7544945 Vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array laser scanner

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.