Hesai's AT128 Lidar Revolutionizes Didi and GAC Aion's L4 Taxi Initiative

Introduction

Hesai Group, a leading name in lidar technology, recently made headlines by providing its advanced AT128 lidar solution for a groundbreaking transportation project. This collaboration involves DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., marking a significant stride toward the production of the first Level 4 (L4) robotaxi, targeting mass production in 2026.

The Dawn of L4 Robotaxi

Unveiled at the 2025 GAC Tech Day and GAC Intelligent Safety Summit in Guangzhou, this innovative robotaxi relies heavily on Hesai's AT128 lidar sensors. These sensors form the backbone of its sophisticated 360° perception system, allowing it to navigate complex driving environments seamlessly.

Performance and Safety Features

The AT128 lidar boasts an impressive resolution of 1200×128, allowing it to gather an astounding 1.53 million data points per second. This enables the robotaxi to have a comprehensive understanding of its surroundings, ensuring the safety of passengers by detecting obstacles well in advance. With a detection range of up to 200 meters and a field of view reaching 120°, it sets a new safety standard for urban and highway travel.

The robotaxi will use a total of 33 sensors, creating a heterogeneous sensor fusion architecture for real-time situational awareness. This setup enhances depth perception and ensures safe navigation through even the most chaotic traffic scenarios.

Collaboration for Innovation

The production of the L4 robotaxi is the culmination of a multi-year partnership between Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion. This vehicle combines GAC Aion’s safety redundancy platform with Didi's comprehensive autonomous driving software and hardware enhancements.

David Li, Co-Founder and CEO of Hesai, expressed pride in supporting the development of this Robotaxi, highlighting the synergy between cutting-edge lidar solutions and autonomous driving systems. He believes that this collaboration showcases the potential of lidar technology in transforming transportation.

Commitment to Lidar Innovation

Hesai Group is determined to drive the evolution of lidar technology, ensuring its solutions remain at the forefront of the autonomous driving revolution. With a commitment to scalability and cost-efficiency, Hesai's innovations are set to redefine how people approach mobility.

About Hesai

Founded in 2014, Hesai Group has established itself as a global leader in lidar technology. The company offers a range of lidar solutions applicable to both passenger and commercial vehicles as well as various robotics uses, including last-mile delivery and autonomous vehicles. Operating globally with offices in Shanghai, Palo Alto, and Stuttgart, Hesai serves customers in more than 40 countries, underlining its strong market presence.

About Didi Autonomous Driving

Launched in 2016, Didi's autonomous driving division focuses on the development of Level 4 AD technologies. Since its inception, Didi Autonomous Driving has achieved significant milestones, including acquiring testing licenses in various cities and pushing forward the future of safer urban transportation.

Conclusion

As Hesai, Didi, and GAC Aion embark on this transformative journey, the introduction of the AT128-powered L4 robotaxi signifies a leap forward in the push for smarter and safer transportation. With mass production on the horizon, the future of urban mobility is bright and filled with exciting possibilities.