What is the primary function of lidar technology?

Lidar technology primarily functions to measure distances using laser light. This operation is based on the principle of sending out pulses of laser light and measuring the time it takes for those pulses to reflect off objects and return to the sensor. By calculating the time delay, lidar can determine the distance to the object with high precision.

This technology is widely used in various applications such as topographic mapping, forestry, environmental monitoring, and autonomous vehicles, where accurate distance measurements are essential. The use of laser light allows for detailed scanning of environments, creating high-resolution 3D models and enabling features like obstacle detection.

The other options misrepresent the core capabilities of lidar technology. Tracking weather patterns involves the analysis of various atmospheric phenomena, not laser distances. Measuring distances with ultrasonic waves pertains to sonar technology rather than lidar, which is specific to light. Capturing photographs of objects suggests imaging technology, which, while related, does not encompass the primary function of lidar, which is focused on distance measurement.