This isn’t just about labeling, however. LiDAR is an essential component of autonomous vehicle development. It uses laser pulses to determine distances to objects by measuring the time it takes light to return to source and, using this information, creating 3D models of the surrounding environment.
Kathy Lange, research director for IDC’s AI and Automation practice, said that while the acquisition would boost Uber’s strength in the autonomous vehicle market, “it [also] has uses in areas such as weather mapping, various parts of government and in robotics.”
She said that while Uber had only set up the data labeling division relatively recently, it has been using the technology internally for some time. Segments.ai was an attractive acquisition for three reasons: “They had strong technology, they had the talent, and they had the customer base.”