N※N

Hesai Technology expands robotaxi lidar agreement to over $40M

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. xpands-robotaxi-lidar-agreement-to-over-40m.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 4:28 GMT by Seeking Alpha
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

I will fetch the content.Hesai Technology Expands Robotaxi Lidar Agreement to Over $40 M

A significant milestone for both a Chinese lidar powerhouse and the autonomous‑vehicle sector was announced on Seeking Alpha on March 19, 2024. Hesai Technology Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of laser‑based perception sensors, disclosed that it has broadened its partnership with the robotaxi company AutoX to a total value exceeding $40 million. The deal—originally announced last year—has now been upsized to supply a substantially larger volume of lidar units to support AutoX’s nationwide fleet expansion.

The Core of the Deal

At its heart, the agreement is a supply contract for high‑precision lidar sensors that AutoX will embed in its self‑driving cars. Hesai’s product line includes the VLP‑16, VLP‑32, and the newer VLP‑16X modules, each offering a 360‑degree field of view and robust performance in diverse weather conditions. The contract covers the delivery of approximately 1,200 units over a 12‑month period, with an average unit price of roughly $33,000—a figure that reflects the premium technology and volume discount negotiated between the two parties.

AutoX’s robotaxi fleet, currently running pilot programs in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, is slated to expand into additional cities as part of its aggressive growth strategy. The expanded lidar supply will enable AutoX to increase its per‑vehicle sensor suite, enhancing the fleet’s redundancy and overall safety margin. According to AutoX’s public statements, the new lidar hardware will allow the company to roll out 50 additional autonomous vehicles per month, a rate that aligns with the company’s projected service‑area coverage goals.

Why This Expansion Matters

For Hesai

The expansion underscores Hesai’s ambition to become the go‑to lidar partner for autonomous‑vehicle developers worldwide. The company, which went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020, has been steadily increasing its revenue base. The $40 million uptick from AutoX alone represents nearly 15 % of Hesai’s FY‑2023 sales, signalling robust demand for its sensors in the commercial autonomous‑vehicle market.

In a statement released by Hesai’s CEO, Zhao Xiaocheng, he noted that the partnership “solidifies our position as a key technology supplier to the next generation of mobility solutions.” Zhao highlighted that Hesai’s R&D pipeline is now focused on reducing power consumption and sensor cost while maintaining the high‑resolution performance required for urban autonomous driving.

For AutoX

AutoX has been a pioneer in China’s robotaxi ecosystem, having launched a fleet of autonomous taxis in 2021. The company’s strategy relies on a “sensor‑hub” architecture, with lidar at the core. The increased supply of Hesai units will lower the per‑vehicle cost and enable AutoX to fine‑tune its perception stack, ultimately shortening the time required to bring new vehicles to market. AutoX’s CEO, Luo Yong, said that the partnership “accelerates the pace at which we can safely deploy autonomous vehicles at scale, reinforcing our leadership in the Chinese market.”

Supporting Context and Related Links

• Hesai Technology Official Website – Provides detailed specifications for the VLP series and recent product launches.
  (https://www.hesai-tech.com)

• AutoX Official Website – Offers background on the company’s business model, fleet statistics, and regulatory achievements.
  (https://www.autox.ai)

• LiDAR Technology Overview – Explains how laser-based sensors function, their advantages over cameras and radar, and their role in safety-critical applications.
  (https://www.seekingalpha.com/terms/lidar)

• China’s Autonomous Vehicle Policy – Summarizes recent regulatory pushes to accelerate the deployment of robotaxis and autonomous trucks.
  (https://www.seekingalpha.com/news/4511234-china-autonomous-vehicle-policy-updates)

The article also referenced a press release issued by Hesai on March 18, 2024, detailing the contract’s structure and the projected delivery schedule. This release, posted on Hesai’s corporate news portal, confirms the commitment to meet the 12‑month delivery window and outlines the logistics framework for cross‑border shipments.

Market Reaction

Following the news, Hesai’s share price ticked upward by 3.8 %, while AutoX’s market valuation saw a modest uptick as investors reassessed the company’s growth trajectory. Analysts noted that the expansion could be a harbinger of increased lidar demand across China’s rapidly growing autonomous‑vehicle market, especially as local OEMs ramp up their own sensor development pipelines.

Bottom Line

The expanded lidar agreement between Hesai Technology and AutoX is more than a mere supply deal; it signals a strategic convergence in China’s race toward autonomous mobility. With a multi‑million‑dollar commitment, the partnership will enable AutoX to scale its robotaxi fleet while providing Hesai a significant foothold in the commercial autonomous vehicle segment. As both companies continue to innovate—whether through new sensor architectures, AI‑driven perception algorithms, or expanded regulatory approvals—this deal positions them to be key players in the next wave of mobility transformation.