#United States #Palo Alto #Hesai Technology #Global Leader #Lidar Production

Introduction

Hesai Technology has set a remarkable benchmark in the lidar industry by announcing that it has successfully produced its millionth lidar unit in 2025. This milestone not only cements Hesai’s position as a leader in the global lidar market but also signifies a new era in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and robotics applications. With this achievement, Hesai becomes the first company globally to produce over a million lidar units in one year, highlighting its exceptional capabilities in large-scale manufacturing and innovative technology development.

The Vision Realized

The company's ambitious vision, articulated at its founding, was to enable 1% of vehicles worldwide with 3D perception by 2025. With the achievement of this goal now realized, David Li, Co-Founder and CEO of Hesai Technology, expressed pride in their accomplishments. This vision isn't merely a target; it's a mission powered by advancements in artificial intelligence and a commitment to improving the quality of life through smart mobility solutions. Hesai aims to ensure that lidar technology becomes the 'eye' for intelligent vehicles and robotic systems, enhancing safety and efficacy in transportation.

Advanced Manufacturing Systems

One major contributor to this success is Hesai’s sophisticated manufacturing system, which includes fully automated production lines. These lines can create a lidar unit every 20 seconds and utilize state-of-the-art technologies to maintain speed, efficiency, and product consistency. The implementation of proprietary systems such as the Smart Cloud MES allows for comprehensive traceability and real-time quality management, ensuring that only defect-free products reach customers.

Additionally, Hesai's approach to manufacturing is unique in the lidar industry, as they independently handle the development of all seven essential lidar components. This vertically integrated strategy not only speeds up production but also guarantees high-quality output and the ability to rapidly iterate on product designs.

Leading the Lidar Market

Hesai Technology's lidar products are already well-integrated within the automotive sector, holding the top positions in various market segments. They lead in overall automotive lidar market share, as well as in the ADAS and Level 4 autonomous driving categories. With an explosive demand in these areas, Hesai's lidar is becoming a standard feature in many vehicles. Plans for vehicle production between 2025 and 2027 include over 120 different models from 24 notable automotive manufacturers, underscoring the company's pivotal role in vehicle safety enhancement.

Hesai collaborates with top brands like Li Auto, Xiaomi, Changan, Geely, Great Wall Motor, and Toyota, solidifying its influence and reach within the industry. Besides the automotive sector, Hesai caters to leading autonomous taxi service providers like Motional, Baidu, and Pony.ai, which rely on Hesai's technology to ensure operational safety and efficiency. Moreover, the company’s JT series lidar has already seen astonishing success, with over 100,000 units delivered shortly after its launch, establishing a new record in the industry.

Looking Ahead

As of the second quarter of 2025, Hesai has delivered more than 1.37 million lidar units across various markets. With a planned production capacity of 2 million units for the year and estimated annual deliveries between 1.2 to 1.5 million, Hesai is well-positioned to continue leading the charge in the lidar space. According to SP Global Mobility, global new car sales are projected to hit 89.6 million in 2025, signifying a robust market for Hesai's revolutionary technology.

Hesai Technology's commitment to innovation in lidar technology showcases not only its manufacturing prowess but a clear understanding of the evolving automotive landscape, as the world increasingly transitions toward autonomous driving and intelligent transport solutions. This news solidifies Hesai’s role as a heavyweight in future automotive technologies, promising a safer and smarter transportation ecosystem globally.