Hesai's AT128 Powers Didi and GAC Aion's First Mass-Produced L4 Robotaxi

Rhea-AI Summary

Hesai Group (Nasdaq: HSAI) announced that its AT128 lidar has been selected for the first L4 production-ready Robotaxi, jointly developed by Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion. The vehicle, unveiled at the 2025 GAC Tech Day, will enter mass production in 2025 with deployment starting in 2026.

The Robotaxi features four AT128 lidar sensors as part of its 360° perception system. The AT128 offers 1200×128 resolution, capturing 1.53 million points per second, with a detection range of 200 meters and 120° field of view. The vehicle incorporates 33 sensors total, using heterogeneous sensor fusion for real-time situational awareness.

Positive

• Selected as exclusive lidar provider for first L4 production-ready Robotaxi by major players Didi and GAC Aion
• Secured mass production contract starting 2025 with deployment in 2026
• Multiple unit sales per vehicle (4 AT128 lidars per Robotaxi)

Negative

• None.

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hesai Group (Nasdaq: HSAI), the global leader in lidar technology for automotive mobility and robotic applications, today announced that its long-range automotive lidar AT128 has been selected as the lidar solution for the first L4 production-ready Robotaxi jointly unveiled by Didi Autonomous Driving, the self-driving technology arm of DiDi Global ("DiDi"), and GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. ("GAC Aion"), a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer and a subsidiary of the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group). Debuting at the 2025 GAC Tech Day and GAC Intelligent Safety Summit in Guangzhou, the vehicle is set to enter mass production this year, with initial deployment beginning in 2026.

The new Robotaxi model features four Hesai AT128 lidar sensors, playing a central role in the vehicle's 360° blind-spot-free perception system. With an industry-leading 1200×128 resolution, the AT128 captures 1.53 million points of data per second, offering detailed and reliable perception in complex and dynamic driving environments. Its long detection range of up to 200 meters, and 120° field of view enable early detection of obstacles, significantly enhancing safety in urban and highway scenarios. The Robotaxi integrates 33 sensors in total, using a heterogeneous sensor fusion architecture to deliver real-time, 360° situational awareness. The deployment of four AT128 lidar sensors enhances depth perception, ensuring safe navigation through complex traffic environments.

"We are honored to support the L4 Robotaxi with our AT128 lidar," said David Li, Co-Founder and CEO of Hesai. "Our collaboration with Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion exemplifies the powerful synergy between advanced lidar innovation and full-stack autonomous driving systems and demonstrates what's possible when cutting-edge lidar technology meets sophisticated autonomous driving systems to transform how people move through the world."

The L4 Robotaxi production model is the result of a multi-year strategic collaboration between Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion. The vehicle combines GAC Aion's globally adaptable safety redundancy platform for L4 autonomous driving with Didi's upgraded hardware platform, multi-layered safety redundancy, and full-stack autonomous driving software.

Hesai remains committed to pushing the boundaries of lidar technology and supporting its partners in achieving safe, scalable, and cost-effective autonomous driving.

About Hesai

Hesai Group (Nasdaq: HSAI) is a global leader in LIDAR solutions. The company's LIDAR products enable a broad spectrum of applications including passenger and commercial vehicles ("ADAS"), as well as autonomous driving vehicles and robotics and other non-automotive applications such as last-mile delivery robots and AGVs ("Robotics"). Hesai seamlessly integrates its in-house manufacturing process with LIDAR R&D and design, enabling rapid product iteration while ensuring high performance, high quality and affordability. The company's commercially validated solutions are backed by superior R&D capabilities across optics, mechanics, and electronics. Hesai has established offices in Shanghai, Palo Alto and Stuttgart, with customers spanning more than 40 countries.

About DiDi Autonomous Driving

DiDi's autonomous driving unit was set up in 2016 and was committed to delivering world's leading Level 4 autonomous driving ("AD") technologies, aiming to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, this unit was upgraded to an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, focusing on advanced AD technology research and development, product application and other expanded businesses. Up to now, DiDi Autonomous Driving have acquired public road testing licences in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and California, along with one of the first Intelligent Connected Vehicle Demostration Application License in China that issued by Shanghai.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hesais-at128-powers-didi-and-gac-aions-first-mass-produced-l4-robotaxi-302428922.html

SOURCE Hesai Technology

FAQ

When will the Hesai-powered L4 Robotaxi begin mass production and deployment?

Mass production will begin in 2025, with initial deployment starting in 2026.

What are the key specifications of Hesai's AT128 lidar used in the L4 Robotaxi?

The AT128 features 1200×128 resolution, captures 1.53 million points per second, has a 200-meter detection range, and 120° field of view.

How many Hesai AT128 lidars are used in the new L4 Robotaxi?

The Robotaxi uses four AT128 lidar sensors as part of its 360° blind-spot-free perception system.

What is the total number of sensors in the Didi-GAC Aion L4 Robotaxi?

The Robotaxi integrates a total of 33 sensors using a heterogeneous sensor fusion architecture.