Benzinga | Jan 5, 2022 08:46AM EST

Hesai And Lumentum Partner On Next-Generation LiDAR Solutions

Hesai ("Hesai"), a global leader in light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, and Lumentum Holdings Inc. ("Lumentum"), a leading provider of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays for 3D sensing and other applications, today announced their partnership on hybrid solid-state directional LiDAR solutions for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

LiDAR sensors are an essential part of autonomous vehicles (AVs). However, conventional LiDAR approaches have been challenged by high costs and poor manufacturability. Incorporating VCSEL array light sources can significantly improve LiDAR cost competitiveness and scalability.

"Lumentum has been the global leader in VCSELs for consumer electronics. As the automotive industry transitions from the testing phase for AVs to mass volume production phase for ADAS applications, cost and manufacturability are the biggest challenges the industry faces," said Dr. David Li, Co-founder and CEO of Hesai. " We are pleased to be collaborating with Lumentum on our hybrid solid-state LiDAR AT128 for ADAS applications, which contains an all-VCSEL-based design to achieve high-affordability, and automotive grade reliability and consistency requirements."

"We are excited to leverage our leading-edge multi-junction VCSEL array capabilities and manufacturing scale in working with Hesai to help enable innovative, cost-effective, and high-volume LiDAR solutions", said Lumentum President and CEO, Alan Lowe.

Over the past few years, more than a billion Lumentum VCSEL arrays have been deployed in mobile, consumer electronics, industrial, and other applications creating significant manufacturing economies of scale. At the same time, Lumentum's advancements in VCSEL array technology have resulted in record-breaking peak optical power densities and efficiencies, making Lumentum's VCSEL arrays suitable for high-performance ADAS and AV applications.