Hesai Technologies Drives the Future of TOF LiDAR with Strong Growth

March 15, 2025

With the rapid development of intelligent driving and robotics, the TOF (Time of Flight) LiDAR industry is entering a new phase of expansion. As a global leader in LiDAR technology, Hesai Technologies (NASDAQ: HSAI) continues to push the industry forward with exceptional financial performance and an increasing global market share. In 2024, Hesai became the world’s first and only publicly traded LiDAR company to achieve full-year profitability, reinforcing its position as a market leader. According to its latest report, Hesai’s total LiDAR shipments reached 501,889 units, marking a 126.0% year-over-year growth, reflecting the rising demand for high-performance LiDAR solutions.

Hesai Leads the Booming LiDAR Market

In 2024, Hesai not only achieved four consecutive years of doubled shipments but also made a major breakthrough in the global market. The company secured a multi-year exclusive nomination from a leading European automaker, covering both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) models. This deal represents the largest mass-production pre-installed LiDAR order in overseas history, strengthening Hesai’s global leadership.

Domestically, Hesai’s ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) LiDAR has been widely adopted by automakers, enabling the large-scale deployment of urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) and active safety features. Recognized as the 'safety airbag' for advanced intelligent driving, ADAS LiDAR shipments reached 456,386 units in 2024, a year-over-year increase of 134.2%, reflecting the growing demand for high-precision LiDAR in ADAS applications.

TOF LiDAR: The Core Technology in Autonomous Driving and Robotics

As a dominant sensing technology, TOF LiDAR stands out for its high precision, long-range capabilities, and real-time environmental perception. Its applications span autonomous driving, robotics, and industrial automation, making it a key enabler of next-generation intelligent systems. Hesai’s TOF LiDAR solutions, built with proprietary chip-level technology, offer superior cost efficiency, performance, and scalability, making them a preferred choice for global automakers and robotics companies.

1. TOF LiDAR Becomes a Standard Sensor for Autonomous Driving

Traditional camera-based ADAS and millimeter-wave radar face significant challenges in low-light and adverse weather conditions. TOF LiDAR enhances vehicle perception by providing precise, real-time 3D environmental mapping, significantly improving decision-making and safety in intelligent vehicles. By 2025, the adoption rate of LiDAR in L2+ autonomous vehicles is expected to rise sharply, making it a standard feature for next-generation smart cars.

2. Robotics Industry Fuels the Next Growth Wave for TOF LiDAR

Beyond automotive applications, TOF LiDAR is seeing increasing adoption in the robotics sector. Hesai forecasts 200,000 LiDAR units to be shipped for robotics applications in 2025, covering areas such as logistics robots, autonomous delivery vehicles, warehouse robots, and security robots. With its superior distance measurement and navigation capabilities, TOF LiDAR is accelerating the widespread adoption of intelligent robots across industries.

3. Expanding Global Presence with Strategic Partnerships

Hesai’s recent strategic agreement with a top European automaker highlights its growing influence in international markets. As global automakers increase their investments in ADAS and autonomous driving technologies, TOF LiDAR is poised for significant expansion worldwide. This partnership not only cements Hesai’s leadership in the LiDAR industry but also signals the rising global demand for high-performance sensing solutions.

2025 Outlook: Unprecedented Growth for TOF LiDAR

With autonomous driving and robotics industries expanding globally, Hesai has set ambitious goals for 2025:

LiDAR shipments expected to increase 2-3 times, reaching 1.2 to 1.5 million units.
Projected revenue of ¥3 billion to ¥3.5 billion, with Non-GAAP net income increasing up to 30-fold.
Robotics LiDAR shipments expected to hit 200,000 units, reinforcing Hesai’s presence in non-automotive sectors.

With its focus on technological innovation, large-scale production, and global market expansion, Hesai remains a leading force in the LiDAR industry. As TOF LiDAR adoption accelerates, the market is entering a new phase of intelligent automation and mass deployment.

Conclusion: TOF LiDAR Driving the Future of Intelligent Sensing

Hesai Technologies has firmly positioned itself as an industry leader, driving the adoption of TOF LiDAR across autonomous driving, robotics, and industrial automation. With continuous innovation, strong financial growth, and expanding global partnerships, Hesai is shaping the future of intelligent perception systems. As the industry moves into 2025, the TOF LiDAR market is poised for unprecedented expansion, marking the beginning of a new era in smart mobility and automation.

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