STUTTGART, Germany, Jan 30, 2025 – Hesai Technology, Outsight, and Embotech AG has announced a collaboration to deliver cutting-edge lidar technology and perception software for Embotech’s AVM technology deployed in BMW facilities and known internally at BMW as Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW). The collaboration brings together industry leaders in autonomous driving solutions and sensing technology.
Embotech is the system provider for BMW’s recently announced Automated Driving In-Plant series operation and global rollout. For the AVM solution, Outsight plays a key role with its advanced lidar software platform that tracks the ego-vehicle and the surrounding obstacles within BMW’s production facilities, while Hesai supplies its industry-leading lidar sensors, renowned for their accuracy and reliability, which act as the “eyes” of the AVM system.
Embotech, Outsight and Hesai have successfully collaborated for several years, jointly advancing lidar and perception solutions for autonomous driving. The companies are global leaders in their respective fields, driving innovation in lidar as well as perception technology. This latest strategic collaboration builds upon a strong foundation, enabling the companies to provide best-in-class technology for AVM, which is safety rated, fulfilling the highest performance and availability requirements.
“Hesai is proud to partner with Embotech and Outsight to deliver cutting-edge lidar technology for BMW’s AVM system,” says Dr. David Li, CEO and co-founder of Hesai Technology. “This state-of-the-art technology demonstrates the high level of precision and safety offered by our lidar and Outsight’s perception software for Embotech’s autonomous driving solutions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and bringing this technology to more factories around the world.”
“The combination of Outsight’s sophisticated lidar software platform and Hesai’s reliable lidar sensors perfectly complements Embotech’s autonomous driving expertise,” says Dr. Alexander Domahidi, CTO and founder of Embotech. “This collaboration ensures the highest standards of safety and efficiency in BMW’s automated vehicle operations.”
According to Raul Bravo, president and co-founder at Outsight, “Our collaboration with Embotech, Hesai, and BMW highlights the increasing maturity of LiDAR technology, particularly the software underpinning it. Its application to real-world factory conditions demonstrates its ability to enhance industrial safety and efficiency, while underlining the importance of a comprehensive framework to realise the potential of autonomous driving.”
The integrated system is managing the movement of new vehicles through production and logistics steps at three BMW plants. This launch is the first stage of a broader rollout to several facilities in Europe and North America.
This partnership marks a major advancement in industrial automation. It integrates Embotech’s trusted autonomous driving expertise with Outsight and Hesai’s leading perception technology.
About Hesai Technology
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, Hesai Technology is a global leader in three-dimensional light detection and ranging (LiDAR) solutions. The company develops, manufactures, and sells LiDAR products that serve a broad spectrum of applications, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for passenger and commercial vehicles, autonomous driving vehicles, and various robotic applications such as last-mile delivery robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The company supplies ADAS lidar to 6 of the top 10 global OEMs by revenue and is ranked No. 1 in the ADAS lidar market globally, with a 26% market share. As of 2023, Hesai employs over 1,100 people and has established offices in Shanghai, Palo Alto, and Stuttgart, with customers spanning over 40 countries. In 2023, the company reported revenues of approximately $250 million. Hesai integrates its in-house manufacturing process with LiDAR research and development, enabling rapid product iteration and ensuring performance, quality, and affordability.
Source: Hesai Technology