Hesai Technology Partners with Great Wall Motor for Lidar Production in Upcoming Car Models
Hesai Technology and Great Wall Motor: A Strategic Partnership
In a milestone announcement on December 6, 2024, Hesai Technology, a leader in lidar technology, revealed an exclusive production deal with Great Wall Motor, one of China's top automobile manufacturers. This partnership aims to equip several of Great Wall's vehicle models with cutting-edge lidar systems, specifically the ATX model, which is known for its ultra-compact size, high resolution, and long-range capabilities. The mass production of these advanced vehicles is set to begin in 2025, paving the way for innovations in automated driving.
Great Wall Motor has demonstrated an impressive track record in the automotive industry, especially in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. In 2023, the company surpassed 1.23 million vehicle sales, with electric vehicles comprising a significant portion of its achievements. Notably, over 262,000 of these sales came from EVs alone. The first nine months of 2024 have reflected a strong growth trajectory, with 195,000 EVs sold, translating to a remarkable year-over-year increase of 57.2%.
This successful relationship began when the two companies established a strategic partnership in February 2024. Since then, they have already begun to see the fruits of this collaboration, as demonstrated by the mass production of the WEY Blue Mountain SUV equipped with the AT128 lidar system. This SUV is a premium offering from Great Wall and is designed to enhance driving capabilities through advanced technologies like Navigation on Autopilot (NOA), supported by the precision of lidar-enhanced perception.
Hesai's ATX lidar system is designed to significantly improve driving safety. Its technology integrates 3D lidar with 2D vision, effectively eliminating blind spots and enhancing overall situational awareness, especially during nighttime driving. This focus on safety combines with the compact nature of the ATX, which not only reduces space usage within the vehicle but also lowers weight and power consumption—a crucial consideration for modern EV design.
The ATX lidar technology represents a shift towards more intelligent automobile solutions. Hesai's proprietary platform technology boosts the resolution of point clouds, meaning the cars equipped with this lidar will have enhanced navigation capabilities and more accurate environmental mapping. With several automotive manufacturers looking to adopt this technology, Hesai is positioned as a key supplier in the industry.
Over the next two years, the scope of this partnership will broaden as more models from Great Wall Motor are set to incorporate Hesai's lidar technology. This expansion signals an ongoing commitment to intelligent mobility and could revolutionize the driving experience by making it safer and more efficient. As the automotive industry shifts towards smart technologies, collaborations like this will be essential for driving innovation and improving the capabilities of modern vehicles.
In conclusion, the partnership between Hesai Technology and Great Wall Motor is a significant milestone in the journey towards enhanced automotive intelligence. With the launch of the ATX lidar in multiple models, they are well-positioned to lead the industry into a new era of automated and efficient driving experiences. The future of transportation is set to be transformed with this collaboration, aligning both companies towards shared goals of innovation and safety in the automotive sector.