Hesai’s lidar delivers high-fidelity sensing to allow robots to understand, localize, and function safely at scale. | Credit score: Hesai
Hesai Expertise develops and manufactures lidar sensors for 3D notion. The Shanghai-based firm supplies a variety of {hardware}, together with long-range, ultra-wide view, solid-state, and mini 3D sensors.
In 2025, Hesai surpassed 2 million cumulative deliveries. To fulfill rising demand, the firm is increasing its annual manufacturing capability to greater than 4 million models in 2026, which it mentioned units a brand new benchmark for the trade.
These merchandise are utilized in superior driver-assistance programs (ADAS), autonomous mobility, and robotics purposes. Hesai integrates analysis and improvement with in-house manufacturing to provide its sensors to automotive producers and robotics firms in varied worldwide markets.
Subsequent-generation L3 automotive suite to reinforce security
Hesai has recognized the automotive sector, particularly ADAS, as the first driver of the present lidar market share. In accordance with co-founder and CEO David Li, the high-volume manufacturing required for automotive purposes has been a catalyst for the robotics trade, making lidar a considerably extra inexpensive and accessible possibility for cellular robotics.
Performing as an “invisible seatbelt,” lidar performs a essential position in stopping accidents earlier than they happen. Lidar-equipped automobiles scale back deadly freeway accidents by 90% and decrease common site visitors accidents by 30% in contrast with camera-only programs based on Li Auto‘s official knowledge.
Moreover, the rigorous working calls for of the automotive world have enhanced sensor robustness. This “automotive-grade” reliability is already a cornerstone of Hesai’s partnerships with main robotaxi builders like Zoox and Aurora.
China EV demand drives lidar manufacturing
Li mentioned he believes that the Chinese language electrical car (EV) market is approach forward of the remainder of the world when it comes to the amount of lidar models required. This is likely one of the the reason why his firm is manufacturing in China.
As well as, Li cited many Chinese language EV producers as companions. Hesai has spent greater than $100 million to construct an “all-in-one” manufacturing unit to do testing, validation, design, all the things beneath one roof.
So far, Hesai has secured design wins from 24 automotive OEMs for mass-production applications. Key companions embrace a high European producer and a number one world automaker in new vitality car (NEV) gross sales. Others are Li Auto, Xiaomi, Changan, Geely, Nice Wall Motor, Chery, Zeekr, Leapmotor, SAIC Audi, SAIC-GM, a Toyota three way partnership.
Hesai’s new ATX long-range lidar has already secured orders exceeding 4 million models from a number of main OEMs, with mass manufacturing and supply beginning in April 2026.
“Our prospects are scaling sooner than ever, and we’re scaling with them,” said Li. “By increasing our annual capability to over 4 million models and including our new Thailand facility, we’re constructing a world manufacturing footprint that may reliably assist mass manufacturing.”
“Our dedication is straightforward: Ship world-class lidar, at scale, with the consistency and belief that the automotive trade calls for,” he added.
Hesai’s Galileo manufacturing unit in Thailand. | Credit score: Hesai
Strong-state lidar is the subsequent innovation
Hesai can be a pacesetter in growing solid-state lidar sensors, which helps to scale back the price of lidar. Whereas spinning mirror lidar models used to value $5,000 to $10,000 per unit, solid-state lidar is now accessible for $400 to $500 per unit.
Hesai’s solid-state lidar may be software-defined, enabling the consumer, via software program, to switch the scanning sample and determination. As well as, some notion capabilities may be carried out onboard the sensor silicon, lowering off-board processing and rushing up detection algorithms for car, farm implement, or robotic management.
Hesai watches humanoid robotic market
Li mentioned he’s paying cautious consideration to the developments within the humanoid market. Analysis at his alma mater, Stanford College, has produced attention-grabbing analysis with the Common Manipulation Interface (UMI) and Cell Aloha tasks.
Li promotes the concept that “tactile-less is the brand new blindness.” Vehicles ought to by no means contact each other, so that may be a no-contact surroundings.
For robots, the significant work solely actually begins when the robots contact one thing, and there’s a deformation and interplay with friction, Li defined. All of that info is non-visual, however essential to the success of manipulation.
At this time, lidar sensors produce a degree cloud of visible info, however sooner or later, new sensors may produce point-cloud-like info from tactile sensors.
Hesai could be very thinking about working with robotics firms that have to combine visible sensing, tactile sensing, and manipulation. Li mentioned he believes that new sensing applied sciences are simply across the nook and that his firm has constructed the design crew and manufacturing capability to develop and manufacture the subsequent era of robotics sensors.
Hesai cites adoption of JT lidars
Within the robotics and industrial sectors, Hesai mentioned its JT collection mini 360° hyper-hemispherical 3D lidars have a documented monitor file of adoption. Designed with a small type issue and low energy consumption, the collection provides a large discipline of view and straightforward integration into varied cellular robots and industrial platforms. So far, the JT collection has reached over 200,000 cumulative deliveries.
At CES subsequent week, Hesai will reveal its next-generation L3 automotive lidar suite, that includes the long-range ETX and short-range FTX. Innovators together with lawnmowing robotic maker MOVA, robotic vacuum supplier DREAME, companion robotic developer Vbot, and 3D spatial digitalization firm Realsee are already integrating the JT lidars into their merchandise.
Hesai has additionally partnered with Meituan to supply solid-state sensors for the Keeta Drone food-supply unit.
In Las Vegas, Hesai mentioned guests will be capable to discover these purposes firsthand and see how it’s serving to energy the subsequent wave of autonomy in robotics and bodily AI. The corporate will likely be exhibiting at Sales space 5601 within the West Corridor of the Las Vegas Conference Heart.
