By consulting the navigation system, which has precise 3D map information with elevation data (something not on all cars), it knows if there's a hill or valley coming up. (extremetech.com)
This «sub-grid inundation model» incorporates high - resolution elevation data collected with LIDAR, a mapping technique that uses airborne lasers to map the ground surface to within a few inches of its actual height. (sciencedaily.com)
By comparing digitized topographic maps from West Virginia before mountaintop mining became extensive with elevation data collected by aircraft in 2010, the researchers found that the mines and valley fills could range anywhere from 10 to 200 meters deep. (sciencedaily.com)