Short answer

There is no universal winner. LiDAR is strong for geometry and indoor mapping, cameras add semantic obstacle recognition, and RTK provides precise outdoor positioning. The best systems combine complementary sensors.

01

LiDAR

Measures distance using light and is useful for stable geometry, mapping and navigation across changing ambient light.

02

Cameras

Provide rich visual information that can classify objects and surfaces. Results depend more on lighting and create additional data-handling questions.

03

RTK

Improves satellite positioning accuracy for outdoor robots. It still needs a reliable signal and local sensing for real obstacles.

Questions people ask

Is camera navigation unsafe for privacy?

Not automatically, but buyers should check where images are processed, what is stored and which controls exist.

Can RTK work under trees?

Heavy tree cover and buildings can degrade satellite reception. Hybrid systems use vision or LiDAR to bridge difficult areas.

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