Full Breakdown
Surge in Lidar Sales Fuels Robotics Growth in China
3/26/2026, 9:41:05 PM
Core Event: Rapid Expansion of Lidar in Robotics
China's leading lidar manufacturers, Hesai Group and RoboSense Technology, are significantly increasing their investments in robotics, driven by a surge in demand for lidar sensors in the robotics sector. This shift comes as both companies aim to capitalize on the growing commercialization of robotics, with Hesai planning to invest 200 million yuan (approximately USD 28.9 million) in developing technologies for robots in 2025.
Key Figures & Groups
Hesai Group, based in Shanghai, is recognized as the world's largest producer of lidar sensors, which are essential for mapping terrain and enabling autonomous navigation in vehicles and robots. RoboSense Technology, headquartered in Shenzhen, has also emerged as a key player in the lidar market. Both companies are pivoting towards robotics to leverage the increasing integration of lidar technology in various applications.
Data & Statistics: Lidar Sales Surge
RoboSense reported a remarkable increase in sales of lidar sensors for robotics, with a 12-fold rise to 303,000 units in the year ending December 31, 2025. This surge contributed to a revenue increase of 258 percent, reaching CNY 710 million (USD 102.9 million). Meanwhile, Hesai's robotics lidar sales grew over five times to 239,000 units, while its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) lidar sales increased by 203 percent to 1.38 million units. Both companies are anticipating continued growth, with RoboSense projecting sales of robot lidars to quadruple to between 800,000 and 1 million units in 2026.
Why It Matters: Implications for the Robotics Industry
The rapid growth in lidar sales is indicative of a broader trend towards the commercialization of robotics in China. As companies like Hesai and RoboSense invest heavily in this sector, the integration of lidar technology is expected to enhance the capabilities of robots, particularly in areas requiring spatial awareness and navigation. Industry experts suggest that embodied intelligence, which refers to robots' ability to interact with their environment, may become a significant market for lidar manufacturers in the coming years.
Official Statements & Responses
Andrew Fan, CFO of Hesai, emphasized the company's commitment to expanding its robotics segment, stating, "With the rapid development of large language models... business leaders have reached a consensus that the robotics industry is on the cusp of truly entering the commercialization phase." Meanwhile, Qiu Chunchao, CEO of RoboSense, noted the strategic significance of embodied intelligence, indicating that it could evolve into a larger market than lidar sensors within three to five years.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the optimistic outlook, some analysts caution that the robotics sector is still in an investment phase, and the profitability of these ventures remains uncertain. Concerns have been raised regarding the sustainability of rapid growth in lidar sales and the potential for market saturation as competition increases.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While both companies report significant growth in their robotics lidar sales, discrepancies exist regarding the overall profitability and financial health of RoboSense, which reported an annual net loss exceeding CNY 145 million despite achieving its first quarterly profit of CNY 104 million in late 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With the rapid development of large language models over the past two years, business leaders have reached a consensus that the robotics industry is on the cusp of truly entering the commercialisation phase,” — Andrew Fan, CFO of Hesai Group
- “The amount of embodied AI is not large, but its strategic significance is very high,” — Qiu Chunchao, CEO of RoboSense Technology
This strategic pivot by Hesai and RoboSense towards robotics, fueled by the growing demand for lidar technology, positions China as a key player in the global robotics supply chain.
