LIDAR system and method for generating variable density point clouds

A method for generating point cloud data points using a lidar system is provided. A lidar system may include a processor programmed to control at least one light source configured to emit a plurality of bursts of light for scanning a field of view, where each of the plurality of bursts of light includes a plurality of light pulses (708A-708D, 708E-708H). The processor is further configured to receive, from the at least one sensor, reflected signals (808A-808D, 808E-808H) associated with a plurality of optical pulses (708A-708D, 708E-708H) included in the plurality of optical bursts. The processor is further programmed to selectively determine a number of point cloud data points (902) to generate based on the received reflected signals associated with the plurality of light pulses included in the at least one light burst. The processor is then programmed to output the determined number of point cloud data points generated for the at least one light burst. In an embodiment, the calculated confidence level for e