SES AI signs contracts totaling up to $10 million to develop AI-enhanced Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries for EVs with two automotive OEM partners

Rhea-AI Summary

SES AI (NYSE: SES) has secured contracts worth up to $10 million with two major global OEM partners to develop AI-enhanced battery solutions. The contracts focus on applying AI for Science to develop new electrolyte materials for both Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries for automotive applications.

The revenue from these contracts will be partially recognized in Q4 2024, with the remaining portion expected through H1 2025. This development follows SES AI's recent breakthrough in creating the world's first battery using an AI-discovered electrolyte material for drones and robotics applications.

The new contracts will apply AI-discovered electrolytes for Li-Metal B-sample developments and, for the first time, with mature Li-ion batteries already in commercial use.

Positive

• Secured new contracts worth up to $10 million with major automotive OEMs
• Revenue recognition starting Q4 2024 through H1 2025
• Successfully developed world's first battery using AI-discovered electrolyte material
• Expansion into commercial Li-ion battery applications

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology and AI Research Analyst

This strategic development marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of AI and battery technology. The $10 million contracts demonstrate commercial validation for SES AI's novel approach to material discovery, particularly significant given the automotive industry's stringent requirements and lengthy validation processes.

The dual-application strategy - targeting both next-generation Li-Metal and current Li-ion batteries - is particularly shrewd. By applying AI-discovered electrolytes to existing Li-ion technology, SES AI creates a near-term revenue stream while simultaneously developing more advanced Li-Metal solutions. This approach helps de-risk the company's technological roadmap.

From a market perspective, this positions SES AI at the forefront of the AI for Science movement in battery development. Traditional battery material discovery typically requires years of laboratory testing and iterations. AI-driven discovery can potentially reduce this timeline by 80-90%, while also identifying novel materials that human researchers might overlook.

The timing of revenue recognition suggests a structured development approach with clear milestones. The contract structure indicates confidence from OEM partners in SES AI's technology, as automotive manufacturers rarely commit to such agreements without substantial due diligence. The recent successful demonstration in drone applications likely served as a important proof point.

However, investors should note that $10 million represents a relatively modest sum in the context of automotive development programs, suggesting these are likely initial validation contracts that could expand significantly if successful. The company's market cap of $326 million indicates the market is still taking a measured view of this technology's commercial potential.

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES AI Corporation (“SES AI” (NYSE: SES)), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of AI-enhanced high-performance Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries, today announced a major milestone for the commercial application of AI for Science for battery material discovery with contracts totaling up to $10 million.

The contracts are with two existing major global OEM partners to apply AI for Science to develop new electrolyte materials for Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries for automotive applications and are expected to result in new revenue which will be partially recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the balance expected to be recognized through the first half of 2025. This development follows SES AI’s breakthrough announcement from earlier this month of the world’s first battery to use an electrolyte material discovered by SES AI’s Molecular Universe efforts for drones and robotics applications.

Founder and CEO Qichao Hu, noted, “These new contracts with our automotive OEM partners are applying our AI-discovered electrolytes for Li-Metal B-sample developments and for the first time with mature Li-ion batteries already in commercial use. We believe this new revenue stream and these contracts validate and accelerate the commercial use of AI for Science for battery material discovery in automotive applications. We will work closely with our partners and with others in the space to extend our early leadership in this new opportunity.”

About SES AI:

SES AI Corp. (NYSE: SES) is powering the future of global electric transportation on land and in the air with the world’s most advanced Li-Metal batteries. SES AI is the first battery company in the world to accelerate its pace of innovation by utilizing superintelligent AI across the spectrum of its business, from research and development; materials sourcing; cell design; engineering and manufacturing; to battery health and safety monitoring. Founded in 2012, SES AI is an Li-Metal battery developer and manufacturer headquartered in Boston and with operations in Singapore, Shanghai, and Seoul. Learn more at SES.AI.

SES AI may use its website as a distribution channel of material company information. Financial and other important information regarding SES AI is routinely posted on and accessible through the Company’s website at www.ses.ai. Accordingly, investors should monitor this channel, in addition to following SES AI’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that SES AI believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SES AI. Although SES AI believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot provide assurance that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “strive”, “target”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties materialize, or should any of SES AI’s assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to the following risks: risks related to the development and commercialization of SES AI’s battery technology and the timing and achievement of expected business milestones; risks relating to the uncertainty of achieving and maintaining profitability; risks relating to the uncertainty of meeting future capital requirements; the ability of SES to integrate its products into electric vehicles (“EVs”) and Urban Air Mobility (“UAM"), drones, robotics and other applications; the risk that delays in the pre-manufacturing development of SES AI’s battery cells could adversely affect SES AI’s business and prospects; the market for air mobility, and for use of Li-Metal technology in air mobility applications, is still emerging and may not achieve the growth potential we expect; the risk that the market for SES AI’s AI-based services is still emerging, and its AI programs may not achieve the growth potential SES AI expects; risks relating to the development of the UAM market and demand for batteries from the UAM industry; potential supply chain difficulties; the ability of SES AI to engage target original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) customers successfully and integrate SES AI’s products into EVs manufactured by OEM customers; the ability to obtain raw materials, components or equipment through new or existing supply relationships; our use of artificial intelligence and machine learning may result in legal and regulatory risk; risks resulting from SES AI’s joint development agreements and other strategic alliances and investments; product liability and other potential litigation, regulation and legal compliance; SES AI’s ability to attract, train and retain highly skilled employees and key personnel; developments in alternative technology or other fossil fuel alternatives; risks related to SES AI’s intellectual property; business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks related to SES AI’s business operations outside the United States; SES AI’s failure to satisfy certain NYSE listing requirements may result in its Class A common stock being delisted from the NYSE, which could eliminate or adversely affect the trading market for SES AI’s Class A common stock; the volatility of SES AI’s common stock and value of SES AI’s public warrants; and the other risks described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2024 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC. There may be additional risks that SES AI presently knows and/or believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect SES AI’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views only as of the date of this press release. SES AI anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while SES AI may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, SES AI specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing SES AI’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

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Source: SES AI Corporation

FAQ

What is the value of SES AI's new automotive OEM contracts announced in 2024?

SES AI (NYSE: SES) announced contracts totaling up to $10 million with two major global OEM partners for developing AI-enhanced battery solutions.

When will SES AI recognize revenue from the new $10M automotive contracts?

SES AI will partially recognize revenue in Q4 2024, with the remaining portion expected through the first half of 2025.

What types of batteries will SES AI develop under the new automotive contracts?

SES AI will develop both Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries using AI-discovered electrolyte materials for automotive applications.

What recent breakthrough did SES announce prior to these automotive contracts?

SES AI announced the development of the world's first battery using an AI-discovered electrolyte material for drones and robotics applications.

How will SES AI apply their AI technology in the new automotive contracts?

SES AI will apply AI for Science to develop new electrolyte materials for Li-Metal B-sample developments and mature Li-ion batteries already in commercial use.