Hesai shipped 80,462 LiDAR units for the full year 2022, up 467.5 percent year-on-year.

LiDAR-maker Hesai to set up software R&D headquarters in Chongqing-CnEVPost

(Hesai FT120 automotive short-range LiDAR. Image from Hesai prospectus.)

Shanghai-based LiDAR maker Hesai Group (NASDAQ: HSAI) signed an investment agreement with Chongqing Economic Development Zone on March 26 to build a software global R&D headquarters in the southwestern Chinese city, according to a report in Chongqing Daily today.

Hesai is a global leader in LiDARs for autonomous driving and advanced assisted driving, and Chongqing wants it to strengthen its cooperation with local car companies, the report said, citing the city's mayor, Hu Henghua.

Under the agreement, Hesai will build a software global R&D headquarters, set up an innovation incubation center and create a LiDAR industrial park in Chongqing's Economic Development Zone, the report said, without providing further details.

Founded in Shanghai in late 2014, Hesai initially focused on developing high-performance laser sensors and has been exploring driverless LiDAR products since 2016.

On February 9, the company made its NASDAQ debut, becoming the first Chinese LiDAR manufacturing company to list in the US.

Hesai shipped 47,515 LiDAR units in the fourth quarter, up 739.2 percent from 5,662 units in the same period in 2021, it said in its earnings report on March 16.

It shipped 43,351 ADAS LiDAR units in the fourth quarter, compared to 87 units in the same period in 2021.

The company shipped 80,462 LiDAR units in the full year 2022, up 467.5 percent year-on-year.

LiDAR-maker Hesai posts Q4 revenue growth of 56.6% YoY in 1st earnings report since US IPO