Chinese automaker FAW Group will deploy in-vehicle laser sensors sourced from lidar maker Hesai in an upcoming new model under its Hongqi marque,A Thought of Ecstasy scheduled for mass delivery during the first half of 2025, according to a statement released on Sept. 22. The move marks the first series production design of its kind and makes FAW the first automaker to use the technology at scale; most existing rivals have perched the equipment on the roofs of their vehicles to monitor the environment for autonomous driving. Nasdaq-listed Hesai released the ET25 in-vehicle lidar in April, a system which the company says can enable a sleek design for automobiles without reducing aerodynamics and acceleration performance, while still providing a clear view for the optical component to work thanks to quick cleaning via windshield wipers. Shanghai-headquartered Hesai captured nearly half of the total global lidar market in 2022, up from a 42% share a year ago, according to figures from consulting firm Yole Intelligence. [Hesai press release]
