Toyota’s premium brand Lexus will incorporate LiDAR technology from RoboSense Technology into several upcoming all-electric models, primarily utilizing RoboSense’s M-platform products, reported China Star Market today, citing informed sources.
The partnership is expected to expand to other Toyota brands in the future, the sources revealed.
RoboSense, China’s leading LiDAR manufacturer listed in Hong Kong, announced in its first-quarter earnings report a supply agreement with Toyota, the world’s top-selling automaker from 2021 to 2022, according to the report. The collaboration underscores Toyota’s strategic move to enhance its EV technology offerings.
In the first half of 2024, RoboSense reported a substantial year-on-year increase in LiDAR sales, with approximately 243,400 units sold, nearing its total sales figure for the entire year of 2023 at 256,000 units. Automotive LiDAR sales specifically reached about 234,500 units, constituting 96% of total sales.
As of June 30, 2024, RoboSense’s cumulative LiDAR sales exceeded 583,500 units, with automotive applications accounting for over 518,300 units. The company also claimed a significant 43% market share in China’s LiDAR market from January to May this year, based on third-party data.
In the electric vehicle (EV) sector, Toyota has been cautiously advancing, though recent developments indicate a shift. Bloomberg reported on June 28 that Toyota is in discussions with Shanghai authorities regarding a potential wholly owned plant to manufacture Lexus EVs. These talks reflect Shanghai’s efforts to attract major foreign investments, pending central government approval, sources noted.
LiDAR technology plays a critical role in EVs, aiding in obstacle recognition with superior performance in adverse weather conditions compared to cameras. Despite growing adoption in high-end models, skepticism remains among some automakers regarding LiDAR’s suitability for widespread autonomous driving applications.
