Cognitive system for localized LIDAR pollution detection using autonomous vehicles

A cloud system, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer executable components;
• a processor, operably coupled to the memory, and that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components comprise:
• a cognitive component configured to:
• obtain real-time weather data from a plurality of sensors in a defined geographic region;
• obtain a cognitive input defining at least one characteristic of the defined geographic region;
• based on the real-time weather data and the cognitive input, determine a pollution detectable area within the defined geographic region meeting a defined criterion associated with pollution risk;
• identifying a vehicle comprising a light detecting and ranging device operating in the pollution detectable area;
• remotely activate the light detecting and ranging device of the vehicle to detect one or more pollution levels at one or more locations in the pollution detectable area;
• receive, from the vehicle, pollution information comprising the one or more pollution levels at the at one or more locations;
• an evaluation component configured to evaluate the pollution information;
• and
• a recommendation component configured to recommend an action to be taken based on a result of the evaluation of the pollution information.