Hesai Reaches Strategic Cooperation with KargoBot, Empowering the Mass Production of Autonomous Trucks

Rhea-AI Summary

Hesai Technology has entered a strategic partnership with KargoBot, focusing on advancing the use of automotive-grade hybrid solid-state lidar, specifically the AT128 model, for L4 autonomous trucks. This cooperation aims to enhance commercial logistics applications by implementing safer and more intelligent solutions. The AT128 lidar is known for its high precision, capable of delivering up to 1.53 million points per second, and was involved in the production of over 60,000 units delivered to OEM customers in 2022. KargoBot, which has developed a hybrid-autonomous solution with over 100 autonomous trucks, reported a revenue exceeding 100 million yuan as of March 2023. The integration of Hesai's lidar technology into KargoBot's operations is expected to significantly enhance performance in various driving conditions.

Positive

• Strategic cooperation with KargoBot to enhance autonomous truck technology.
• AT128 lidar has proven performance with zero failures in harsh conditions.
• Delivery of over 60,000 AT128 units to OEM customers indicates strong market demand.
• KargoBot's revenue exceeded 100 million yuan, showcasing commercial success.

Negative

• None.

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hesai Technology reached strategic cooperation with autonomous truck company, KargoBot. They will jointly promote the application of automotive-grade, hybrid solid-state lidar AT128 for L4 autonomous trucks, working together to implement safer, more intelligent commercial logistics applications.

Lidar is one of the core sensors for advanced autonomous driving solutions, providing high-precision 3D sensing for autonomous vehicles. Hesai's AT128 is a long-range and automotive-grade hybrid solid-state lidar integrated with 128 lasers, and an ultra-high-point frequency of 1.53 million points per second. 

Since the start of mass production and delivery in 2022, AT128 has empowered the launch of various passenger car models. Last year, Hesai delivered over 60,000 units of AT128 lidar to OEM customers such as Li Auto. Backed by excellent performance, high cost-efficiency, and strong mass-production and delivery capability, AT128 is fully-qualified to empower L4 autonomous trucks.

As a company incubated by Didi Autonomous Driving, KargoBot focuses on the R&D of L4 autonomous driving technology and its commercial operation, with full-stack development capability.

KargoBot has innovatively developed a hybrid-autonomous solution. It includes a pilot ADAS vehicle with a human driver, and multiple L4 self-driving trucks, which greatly improves the capability to deal with various long-tail scenarios and complex interactions during commercial opeartions. Currently, KargoBot has more than 100 autonomous trucks. As of March this year, KargoBot's cumulative revenue has exceeded 100 million yuan.

KargoBot's autonomous trucks are the first L4 commercial trucks to use automotive-grade, hybrid solid-state lidar in China. In early 2022, KargoBot successfully integrated 5 AT128 into its autonomous truck, achieving 360 degree FOV coverage, significantly reducing vertical blindspots. After operating in harsh conditions including sand, rain, snow, and unpaved roads for nearly two years, the AT128 lidars are still functioning at zero failure.

Hesai's AT128 sensor achieves a complete, unstitched field of view and a uniformly distributed structured point cloud, making it algorithm friendly. KargoBot uses image-like data representations and modern computer vision methods to develop AT128's efficient multi-tasking perception algorithms.

Unlike conventional point cloud algorithms, the perception algorithm organizes AT128's point cloud data directly into a dense image data format, achieving superior results in real-scenario road testing.

Hesai AT128 has excellent performance, high reliability and high cost-efficiency, which can effectively help KargoBot to develop an autonomous driving system that meets automotive-grade and mass production standards. In the future, Hesai will continue to empower KargoBot to iterate its autonomous driving technology solutions, and promote the large-scale implementation of autonomous logistics.

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SOURCE Hesai Technology

FAQ

What is the significance of Hesai's partnership with KargoBot in April 2023?

The partnership aims to promote the use of Hesai's AT128 lidar technology in L4 autonomous trucks, enhancing safety and efficiency in commercial logistics.

What advantages does the AT128 lidar offer for autonomous trucks?

The AT128 lidar provides high precision with up to 1.53 million points per second and has demonstrated reliability with zero failures in various weather conditions.

How many AT128 units did Hesai deliver in 2022?

Hesai delivered over 60,000 units of the AT128 lidar to OEM customers in 2022.

What was KargoBot's reported revenue as of March 2023?

KargoBot's cumulative revenue exceeded 100 million yuan as of March 2023.