US Patent 11536807 Systems and methods for modifying LIDAR field of view

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and vehicles that facilitate a light detection and ranging (LIDAR or lidar) system that may take advantage of “dead angles” where the lidar system is oriented toward support structure or another “uninteresting” feature. In such scenarios, light pulses may be redirected toward more-interesting features in the environment. An example system includes a lidar system configured to emit light pulses into an environment of the system so as to provide information indicative of objects within a default field of view. The system also includes a reflective surface optically coupled to the lidar system. The reflective surface is configured to reflect at least a portion of the emitted light pulses so as to provide an extended field of view. The lidar system is further configured to provide information indicative of objects within the extended field of view.