Systems and methods for modifying LIDAR field of view

A method comprising

• causing at least one light source of a lidar system to emit light pulses toward a default field of view and toward a reflective surface configured to reflect a portion of the light pulses toward an extended field of view, wherein the emitted light pulses interact with an environment of the lidar system to provide return light pulses, wherein the lidar system comprises:
• a rotatable base configured to rotate about a first axis;
• a rotatable mirror coupled to the rotatable base, wherein the rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about a second axis;
• at least one light source configured to emit the light pulses, wherein the emitted light pulses interact with the environment to provide return light pulses;
• and
• at least one detector configured to detect at least a portion of the return light pulses;
• receiving at least a first portion of the return light pulses from the default field of view as a first detected light signal;
• receiving at least a second portion of the return light pulses from the extended field of view as a second detected light signal;
• and
• transmitting point cloud data, wherein the point cloud data is based on the first detected light signal and the second detected light signal, and indicative of objects within the default field of view and the extended field of view.

A vehicle comprising:

• a lidar system configured to emit light pulses into an environment of the vehicle so as to provide information indicative of objects within a default field of view, wherein the lidar system comprises:
• a rotatable base configured to rotate about a first axis;
• a rotatable mirror coupled to the rotatable base, wherein the rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about a second axis;
• at least one light source configured to emit the light pulses, wherein the emitted light pulses interact with the environment to provide return light pulses;
• and
• at least one detector configured to detect at least a portion of the return light pulses;
• and
• a reflective surface optically coupled to the lidar system, wherein 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, wherein the lidar system is further configured to provide information indicative of objects within the extended field of view.