Hesai expands global Lidar leadership with Swiss patent acquisition, driving solid-state innovation

Hesai Technology, a global leader in lidar solutions for automotive and robotics applications, has reinforced its intellectual property portfolio by acquiring a significant set of Swiss patents in digital lidar technology. The move further cements the company’s position as the industry frontrunner, with the highest number of published patent applications for lidar worldwide.

The expansion of Hesai’s patent portfolio underscores the growing significance of lidar technology in autonomous mobility and robotics. As the demand for advanced sensing systems accelerates, securing exclusive patents has become a critical strategy for maintaining a competitive edge. By integrating newly acquired intellectual property into its next-generation lidar platforms, Hesai is strengthening its long-term innovation pipeline while pushing the boundaries of what lidar technology can achieve.

Hesai’s Patent Strategy Bolsters Innovation in Lidar Technology

Intellectual property is a key indicator of technological progress, and Hesai has established itself as an innovation powerhouse. As of December 2024, the company holds approximately 1,800 patents and patent applications worldwide, demonstrating a robust commitment to research and development. According to the global patent database Patsnap, Hesai leads the industry with over 1,500 published patent applications and more than 600 granted patents, covering critical aspects of lidar technology across multiple regions.

The latest acquisition of Swiss digital lidar patents is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the company’s core technologies. These patents, originating from extensive research in SPAD sensor innovation, provide a foundation for future advancements in digital signal processing, high-resolution point cloud generation, and next-generation solid-state lidar technology.

SPAD Sensors Drive the Next Evolution in Lidar

A key factor in Hesai’s technological progress is the integration of SPAD sensor innovation into its lidar systems. Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensors represent a breakthrough in digital lidar by enhancing the ability to detect and process individual photons with extreme precision. This technology enables improved depth perception, superior accuracy in low-light environments, and enhanced resolution—critical capabilities for applications in autonomous vehicles and robotics.

The newly acquired Swiss patents strengthen Hesai’s proprietary solid-state lidar technology, allowing for the development of highly efficient, cost-effective lidar systems. By embedding SPAD-based solutions into its fourth-generation lidar platform, which is set to enter production in 2025, Hesai is creating more powerful and scalable sensing solutions tailored for the evolving demands of automation.

Next-Generation Solid-State Lidar Redefines Performance

Hesai’s upcoming solid-state lidar technology introduces industry-leading improvements in performance, range, and design. The flagship FTX model, based on the company’s latest advancements, delivers an ultra-wide field of view (FOV) of 180° x 140°, surpassing existing automotive-grade solid-state lidars.

The new system achieves a 30-meter range at 10% reflectivity, while offering a significantly enhanced point rate of 492,000 points per second, marking a 2.5x performance boost compared to previous generations. Despite its superior functionality, the FTX lidar is now 66% lighter and features a streamlined design that reduces the exposed window area by 40%, making it more compact and easier to integrate into vehicles and robotic platforms.

This level of precision and efficiency is expected to drive greater adoption of solid-state lidar technology across multiple sectors. As automation expands into urban mobility, logistics, and industrial robotics, high-performance lidar solutions will be instrumental in enabling safer and more reliable autonomous navigation.

Scaling Lidar for Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Beyond the automotive sector, Hesai’s lidar industry expansion is accelerating the development of intelligent robotics. The integration of solid-state lidar technology into robotic applications has become a growing trend, with increasing adoption in autonomous delivery systems, industrial automation, and service robotics.

Hesai’s newly optimized lidar models, including the FTX solid-state lidar, as well as the JT128 and JT16 lidar systems, are designed to meet the specific needs of robotics manufacturers. These compact, high-resolution sensors offer real-time 3D perception, allowing for precise environmental mapping, obstacle detection, and safe navigation in dynamic environments.

By providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional multi-sensor configurations, lidar-based perception systems are improving efficiency across a range of applications. Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic lawn mowers, warehouse automation robots, and smart city infrastructure are just a few areas where Hesai’s lidar solutions are enabling new advancements.

Hesai’s Mass Production Push and 2025 Growth Outlook

As demand for lidar continues to surge, Hesai is rapidly scaling its manufacturing capabilities to meet global needs. In December 2024 alone, the company delivered more than 20,000 lidar units to robotics customers. Looking ahead, Hesai is on track to ship over 1 million lidar units in 2025, a milestone supported by its in-house mass production capabilities and sustained investment in SPAD sensor innovation.

By continuously refining its solid-state lidar technology and securing strategic intellectual property, Hesai is reinforcing its leadership in an increasingly competitive industry. As companies worldwide seek reliable, high-performance sensing solutions, Hesai’s latest advancements are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous mobility and robotics.