RoboSense LiDAR is bringing its latest cutting-edge LiDAR solutions to the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The company bills the starring RS-LiDAR M1 as the world’s first mass-produced automotive-grade MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) solid-state LiDAR. It will be joined by RS-Helios, the company’s newest-generation “bespoke” LiDAR.

RoboSense says it is currently the only company in the world to have achieved mass-produced delivery of front-loading smart solid-state LiDAR. The M1’s small size is said to make it “convenient” for front-loading in mass production models.

The company has gained traction worldwide for its broad and innovative portfolio of LiDAR and AI perception solutions. It claims 10% of the global automotive pre-installed market, according to market research and strategic consultancy Yole Développement.

RoboSense is currently the only company in China to realize the automotive-grade domestic mass production of pre-installed LiDAR. With the M1, it has obtained pre-installed fixed-point project orders from multiple brands including GAC Aion, WM Motor, Geely’s ZEEKR, Lotus Cars, Inceptio Technology, and Zhito, covering models including passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

In October, Chinese electric automaker WM Motor showcased the M1 on its new WM M7 flagship electric car. Equipped with three M1s, the car is said to be capable of groundbreaking Level 5 autonomous driving. It features an “eye” on the roof and additional LiDAR on both sides of the body. Through collaborative sensor fusion, the array is said to create a safer, more reliable, smart dynamic imaging of the car’s complete surroundings with significantly reduced energy consumption.

The M1 has active 3D imaging, precisely sensing information at the centimeter-level to identify obstacles. It is equipped with a unique smart “gaze” function, which enables it to dynamically and intelligently switch between far- and near-field perception. The smart zoom feature can dynamically adjust the environmental perception refresh rate in low-speed urban environments, recognizing vehicle-scene changes earlier. In inter-city high-speed scenes, it can dynamically adjust the vertical resolution to identify long-distance obstacles earlier.

The M1 also plays a role in the company’s just-announced strategic new partnership with Horizon Robotics, a pioneer in edge AI (artificial intelligence) computing platforms. The two partners’ cooperation will be focusing on advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous driving, robotics, new intelligent transportation infrastructure, and other applications, combining the M1 and Horizon Robotics’ Journey 3 and Journey 5 automotive smart chips. RoboSense and Horizon Robotics have a history together going back to 2019.

“This strategic partnership will form a greater joint force and empower the two companies to create more visionary intelligent driving product solutions for the industry, to jointly build a prosperous ecology of the vehicle intelligence industry and advance the development of the intelligent connected transportation industry,” said Dr. Chunxin Qiu, Founder and CEO of RoboSense.

“Through this strategic partnership, the two companies will fully complement each other with respective advantageous resources, jointly explore cutting-edge technologies, and promote the mass production and large-scale implementation of pioneering intelligent driving solutions of the industry, leveraging technological innovation to build a safer and better smart mobility experience for the future,” added Dr. Kai Yu, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics.

Horizon Robotics says it is the only company in China to realize the automotive-grade domestic mass production of pre-installed AI chips, having partnerships for mass production delivery with multiple car manufacturers including SAIC Motor, GWM, JAC Group, Changan Auto, and BYD.