China extends lead in lidar tech crucial to self-driving cars

Chinese companies gain ground in patents and market share

20240107N Xpeng

Xpeng Motors has decided to use RoboSense lidar for driver assistance. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)

NAOSHIGE SHIMIZU, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Chinese companies are strengthening their presence in light detection and ranging sensors crucial to self-driving technology, greatly exceeding Japanese and American counterparts in related patents and controlling more than half of the global market.

The intense competition in developing electric vehicles in China has spurred more sophisticated lidar, which serve as the "eyes" for automated driving.

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