Li Auto to Equip All New Models with LiDAR

All new Li Auto vehicles to be launched this year, including updated range-extended models and the new pure electric series, will come standard with LiDAR sensors, according to a February 21 report by Chinese media outlet 36Kr Auto.

LiDAR is a critical sensor that, unlike vision-based systems relying mainly on cameras and image recognition, uses laser beams to measure distances and generate 3D point clouds. This makes it less susceptible to poor lighting conditions or adverse weather.

Previously, Li Auto offered two intelligent driving packages: Li AD Max and Li AD Pro. The key difference was that AD Max featured NVIDIA Orin X chips, LiDAR, and Li Auto’s in-house algorithms, while AD Pro relied on Horizon Journey 5 chips, lacked LiDAR, and used software from supplier QCraft. As a result, AD Pro models were limited to highway navigation assistance, excluding advanced features like urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) and end-to-end, point-to-point intelligent driving capabilities.

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With this upgrade, AD Pro models will now include LiDAR, along with significant upgrades to their computing platform. Sources told 36Kr Auto that some AD Pro models will adopt a single Horizon J6M chip while continuing to use QCraft’s algorithms. These hardware improvements will support more advanced intelligent driving features, allowing AD Pro models to achieve city memory navigation and potentially full urban NOA.

Li Auto’s longtime LiDAR partner, Hesai Technology, recently launched the ATX, a compact LiDAR sensor priced at around $200 per unit. BYD has already integrated this sensor into some models under its intelligent driving platform. Hesai reportedly plans to produce over 2 million LiDAR units this year.

Other Chinese automakers are also expanding their intelligent driving strategies. Huawei plans to commercialize L3 autonomous driving at scale within two years and has equipped its Maextro S800 model with four LiDAR units, demonstrating its technological leadership. Meanwhile, BYD is bringing advanced autonomous driving features to the sub-$10,000 market, accelerating mass adoption.