Autonomous vehicles have long been a topic of debate, promise, and skepticism. From Elon Musk’s repeated timelines for full self-driving to industry players working behind the scenes, the road to safe, reliable autonomy is still being paved. In a recent episode of Israel Tech, Yoel Israel sat down with Omer David Keilaf, Co-Founder and CEO of Innoviz, to explore how lidar technology is reshaping the automotive industry, where the competition stands, and how Israel’s innovation ecosystem is playing a critical role.
What Exactly is Lidar?
Omer explained lidar in the simplest possible way: think of it as a 3D camera. The name itself comes from “light detection and ranging,” because it uses pulses of laser light to measure distance.
By firing millions of these pulses per second, a lidar sensor can build an accurate, high-resolution 3D map of its surroundings. For a car, that means not only detecting objects, but also understanding how they move in real time.
“Imagine driving with a perfect 3D video of your surroundings,” Omer said. “That level of precision is what allows a vehicle to navigate safely in complex environments.”
Why Lidar Matters for Autonomous Driving
The promise of lidar lies in its redundancy and safety. Cameras are powerful, but they fail under certain conditions such as bright sunlight, heavy rain, or even a simple water droplet. Radar can measure speed and distance, but it lacks high-resolution detail.
Lidar fills the gap. By combining all three: cameras, radar, and lidar, car companies build systems that meet functional safety standards. As Omer pointed out, no safety-critical system should rely on a single point of failure.
This is also why Tesla’s approach, which relies solely on cameras, raises eyebrows. Omer was blunt: “It’s completely unreasonable to believe you can just use cameras for full autonomy.”
From Lab Project to Mass Production
When Omer and his team began, lidar had a reputation problem. The technology worked, but the devices were massive, unreliable, and prohibitively expensive, sometimes costing upwards of $75,000 each.
The challenge Innoviz tackled was making lidar small, reliable, and affordable enough for mass production. “We didn’t want it to be just an R&D project,” Omer explained. “It needed to be something car companies could actually integrate into millions of vehicles.”
That effort paid off. Today, BMW’s i7 already offers autonomous highway features powered by Innoviz’s lidar and perception software. Volkswagen is preparing to roll out a robotaxi service in the US and Germany. And partnerships with Mobileye are expected to launch additional platforms by 2027.
Competition or Customers?
One of the most interesting moments in the conversation came when Yoel asked whether Waymo and Tesla were Innoviz’s competitors. Omer’s answer was clear: they’re customers, not competitors.
Innoviz provides the enabling technology, lidar sensors and perception software, that companies like Waymo or Mobileye need to build their full-stack autonomous solutions. Even Tesla, famous for dismissing lidar, could one day benefit.
Omer noted that Tesla has been making the same promise for nearly a decade: full self-driving is always “next year.” The repeated delays only reinforce the point that cameras alone are not enough.
The Shift to Software-Defined Vehicles
Autonomous driving is not just about hardware. It represents a shift in the entire business model of car companies.
Traditionally, automakers made money from one-time vehicle sales. In a future with self-driving cars, the revenue stream shifts to recurring services. Instead of paying insurance directly, drivers could subscribe to autonomy packages offered by manufacturers.
This shift is part of a broader trend toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where the value lies not in the engine or hardware, but in the software powering the experience. “Lidar is part of that story,” Omer explained. “You need the best sensors to unlock the best software.”
Security and National Concerns
The conversation turned toward geopolitics when Yoel asked about the risks of foreign-made vehicles. Omer confirmed that Chinese electric cars have already been restricted from entering military bases in Israel due to security concerns.
Lidar, after all, is not just a navigation tool. It can be used to create detailed 3D maps of sensitive environments. That makes it a device with national security implications. “Some countries already classify lidar as a strategic sensor,” Omer said.
Israel’s Role in the Autonomous Future
Israel is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in autonomy. The country’s compact geography, advanced technology ecosystem, and government support make it an ideal testing ground.
Mobileye, based in Jerusalem, is already one of the world’s most influential players in autonomous driving. Innoviz adds another piece of the puzzle with high-performance lidar. Together, they make Israel a natural hub for development.
“I believe we’ll see services in Israel within the next two to three years,” Omer predicted.
Lessons from the Military
Much of Omer’s perspective comes from his seven years in Unit 81, one of Israel’s elite technology units. He described it as an environment where “impossible problems” are tackled head-on.
“What I learned is that nothing is truly impossible,” he said. “If the problem is important enough, you’ll find a way.”
That mindset shaped Innoviz’s journey. The company succeeded not by reinventing physics, but by challenging assumptions about what was practical, affordable, and scalable.
Beyond Self-Driving: A 3D Future
While self-driving cars are the immediate application, lidar has far broader potential. Omer pointed to virtual and augmented reality as examples.
Today, VR headsets mostly rely on synthetic environments. But imagine a soccer match streamed through a lidar system: fans could place themselves on the field, watching the action unfold from any angle in 3D.
“2D cameras will eventually be replaced by 3D cameras everywhere,” Omer predicted. From consumer devices to industrial monitoring, lidar opens doors far beyond transportation.
Israel’s Innovation Edge
When asked about Israel’s broader role in emerging technologies, Omer emphasized the country’s strength in deep tech. The combination of military experience, system-level thinking, and a culture of problem-solving continues to drive breakthroughs in areas like cyber, AI, and medical technologies.
“Our challenges force innovation,” he said, referencing both military needs and the resilience required during wartime. “When people are pushed to the wall, they find creative solutions.”
Looking Ahead
Omer’s excitement for the future comes down to creativity. The tools now available, from AI to rapid prototyping, make it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to test ideas and push boundaries.
For Innoviz, that means continuing to shape the future of autonomy while keeping an eye on new markets where 3D vision will be indispensable. For Israel, it means leveraging its unique ecosystem to stay at the forefront of deep tech innovation.
One thing is clear: whether it is on highways in Germany, robotaxis in the US, or VR stadiums in your living room, the future Omer describes is coming faster than most realize.
