An autonomous articulated soil compactor machine can include: a machine frame; at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine; a first lidar sensor on a front of the machine; a second lidar sensor on a first side of the machine; and a third lidar sensor on a second side of the machine; wherein the first, second and the third lidar sensors are positioned such that 360 degree lidar coverage is provided around the articulated compactor machine.