Details
💰 Cash & Carry: Chinese LiDAR maker Hesai has secured an order worth over 40 million USD from an unnamed U.S. robotaxi company, with deliveries running through the end of 2026.
🔭 Exclusive Supplier: Hesai will provide both long-range and short-range LiDAR systems exclusively, critical for the safe operation of autonomous fleets.
♻️ Mass Production Proven: Hesai already supplies Motional, the Hyundai-backed robotaxi joint venture, positioning itself as a preferred partner for large-scale autonomous deployment.
📈 Market Leader in Focus: According to Yole Group, Hesai holds a 61% share of the global LiDAR market for Level 4 autonomy and shipped more than 500,000 systems in 2024.
🚗 Growing Customer Base: In addition to U.S. partners, clients include Li Auto, Zeekr, Leapmotor, and Xiaomi. Hesai expects up to 1.5 million shipments in 2025.
Big Picture
For the U.S., the deal sends a delicate signal: robotaxi operators want proven technology, but such partnerships sit squarely in the tension between technological needs and geopolitical skepticism toward Chinese suppliers.
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