At the heart of dynamic advancements in robotics and smart mobility, Hesai Technology is making strategic moves in lidar sensor manufacturing. As industries seek efficient and scalable sensing solutions, Hesai targets automotive, robotics, and industrial applications with its diverse product lineup. The company’s latest investments and partnerships are being closely watched by competitors and collaborators alike, especially as Hesai eyes further global expansion. New collaborations in both consumer and commercial robotics may set precedent for sensor adoption rates across sectors.
Other reports from previous years illustrated Hesai’s growing foothold primarily in the automotive lidar market, where initial production milestones were more modest. Attention once focused on slow but steady adoption by select automotive manufacturers, whereas now, Hesai demonstrates broader reach and diversified partnerships, including global manufacturers and robotics enterprises. Coverage from industry events spotlighted solid-state lidar innovations in concept phase; currently, these offerings are integral to mass-production pipelines, with pricing and distribution volumes evolving rapidly to meet demand.
How is Hesai Scaling Lidar Output?
Hesai Technology reported surpassing 2 million lidar sensor deliveries by 2025. With a strategic goal to reach an annual production capacity exceeding 4 million units in 2026, the company has expanded manufacturing both in China and internationally. Its in-house research and development approach supports a supply chain for not only advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) but also for a growing roster of robotics clients.
What Drives Demand in the Automotive and Robotics Sectors?
The surge in demand from China’s electric vehicle sector and global automotive manufacturers is a central factor. Hesai’s partners range from Li Auto and Xiaomi to European automotive leaders and joint ventures with Toyota. Recent launches, such as the ATX long-range lidar, have secured significant pre-orders and are expected to enter mass production in April 2026, pointing to accelerated industry uptake.
Which New Markets and Technologies Is Hesai Targeting?
Extending beyond traditional mobility, Hesai is closely monitoring the humanoid robot market and novel tactile sensing technologies from research projects at Stanford University. Currently, the company’s JT series mini 360° 3D lidars serve mobile robotics and industrial platforms, being adopted by companies like MOVA and DREAME.
“Our customers are scaling faster than ever, and we are scaling with them,”
stated CEO David Li, highlighting Hesai’s global manufacturing reach, which now includes a facility in Thailand.
Hesai has also made progress in solid-state lidar development, slashing unit costs and supporting software-defined scanning capabilities. Integration with robotics, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation is being expedited by the ability to offload perception functions onto onboard sensor hardware rather than external processing systems. New partnerships, like supplying solid-state sensors to Meituan’s Keeta Drone delivery unit, exemplify the company’s expanding market ownership.
“Our commitment is simple: Deliver world-class lidar, at scale, with the consistency and trust that the automotive industry demands,”
said Li.
Developments showcased at CES 2026 are set to provide industry observers with firsthand examples of how Hesai’s sensors are shaping capabilities in autonomy, safety, and industrial automation. The company’s consistent growth in both scale and technology may increase the competitive pressure on peers in the sensor market. For businesses seeking advanced sensing technology, Hesai’s approach—combining high-volume production, international manufacturing, and targeted R&D in tactile and visual integration—offers an indicator of where large-volume sensor markets are heading. Examining these trends further could be essential for robotics firms and automakers anticipating future sensor requirements, especially as solid-state and software-defined lidar become mainstays in industrial design.
