Hesai Technology Begins Mass Production of Fourth-Gen LiDAR Chip Platform

Hesai Technology, a Chinese LiDAR manufacturer, announced the mass production of its fourth-generation chip architecture platform on February 26. Initially unveiled in 2024, this platform is engineered to power next-generation LiDAR products, emphasizing high performance, compact design, and cost efficiency.

The second-generation pure solid-state LiDAR, FTX, is the first product to integrate Hesai’s fourth-gen chip platform. Equipped with a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) array detector, FTX delivers enhanced capabilities. It features a detection range of 30 meters at 10% reflectivity and a point frequency of 492,000 points per second, which is 2.5 times faster than its predecessor. The design reduces weight by 66% and minimizes the exposed window by 40%, measuring just 50×30 mm. Its field of view has been expanded to 180°×140°, making it the widest among global automotive-grade solid-state LiDARs.

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SPAD technology is a cornerstone of Hesai’s fourth-gen platform. It enables 24/7 perception, even in near-zero light conditions, and supports a detection range of up to 300 meters at 10% reflectivity for next-gen LiDAR models. The technology also delivers higher pixel density, reduced noise, and ultra-fast waveform sensing.

To reinforce its SPAD expertise, Hesai acquired Swiss chip design firm Fastree 3D in late 2023, integrating its SPAD patents into the fourth-gen platform.

In the robotics sector, Hesai shipped over 20,000 LiDAR units in December 2024, reinforcing LiDAR as a standard sensor for navigation and obstacle avoidance in robotics.