China's lidar technology faces intensified scrutiny in U.S.

Washington lobbyists terminate contracts with top maker Hesai

20240312 Self Driving Car

Washington is concerned that state-subsidized Chinese vehicles could flood the U.S. market and obtain swaths of sensitive data through lidar sensors. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) © Getty Images

KEN MORIYASU and ECHO WONG, Nikkei staff writers

WASHINGTON/HONG KONG -- U.S. concerns over Chinese autonomous driving technology are hitting China's Hesai Technology as lobbyists in Washington move to cut ties with the company.

The White House announced late last month it will investigate connected cars to assess the national security risks associated with Chinese technological advances in this area. These concerns stem from a fear that state-subsidized Chinese vehicles could flood the U.S. market and obtain swaths of sensitive data through light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors, which also has potential military applications, sources told Nikkei Asia.

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