1. Plummeting Costs of LiDAR Accelerate Adoption in Mainstream Vehicles
The procurement cost of automotive-grade LiDAR has seen a drastic decline in recent years. Back in 2021, a single automotive-grade LiDAR unit cost over 80,000 RMB, making it an exclusive feature for high-end luxury vehicles. By 2026, this price has dropped to the 900–1,450 RMB range. This cost collapse is rapidly transforming LiDAR from an optional add-on in premium cars to a standard feature in vehicles priced around 150,000 RMB or even lower, greatly accelerating the adoption of advanced intelligent driving technologies.
2. Huawei Launches Next-Gen In-Car Laser Projection System
In April 2026, Huawei Qiankun officially unveiled the industry's first LCoS in-car laser projection system (HUAWEI XSCENE). Integrating true laser light sources with LCoS technology, the system boasts a high contrast ratio of 2000:1 and a 98% wide color gamut, while earning multiple certifications for eye protection and low motion sickness. The projector supports various scenarios, including in-car floating windows, full-screen displays, and outdoor open-air cinemas. It will debut on the "Yijing X9," a flagship SUV jointly developed by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei.
3. Fierce Competition in Ultra-High-Resolution LiDAR Technology
To achieve superior perception capabilities, leading companies are accelerating the launch of ultra-high-line-count LiDAR products. For instance, Hesai Technology announced that its ultra-high-resolution ETX LiDAR has been designated for Great Wall Motor vehicles, with mass production expected by the end of 2026 and a maximum specification of up to 4,320 lines. Meanwhile, RoboSense has released the world's first automotive-grade chip with native 2,160-line single-chip integration, achieving an "instant deployment upon release" milestone and being applied to Robotaxi prototypes for brands like Geely.
4. Laser Processing Empowers Smart Manufacturing of NEVs and Batteries
On the manufacturing front, laser technology is deeply penetrating the entire production process of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). Innovative solutions from companies like TRUMPF-such as laser spiral spot welding, liquid cooling plate welding, and brake disc cladding-are replacing traditional processes, helping automakers achieve vehicle lightweighting and low-carbon manufacturing. Additionally, companies like Raycus have introduced laser welding solutions covering the entire process from battery cell production to PACK assembly, effectively enhancing the precision and safety of battery manufacturing.
