Core Insights - Luminar's lidar business faced a last-minute bid that exceeded the leading offer of $33 million from MicroVision, but Luminar chose to proceed with MicroVision's bid due to "infirmities" in the new offer [1][2] Group 1: Sale Process and Bids - An unidentified party submitted a bid just before a bankruptcy hearing, which was significantly higher than the $33 million bid from MicroVision [1] - Luminar's legal counsel indicated that the last-minute bid had issues, leading the company to stick with MicroVision's offer [2] - The identity of the last-minute bidder was not disclosed, but it was suggested to be an "insider purchaser," likely Austin Russell, Luminar's founder [2][3] Group 2: MicroVision's Acquisition - The sale of Luminar's lidar technology and remaining staff to MicroVision was approved, with the transaction expected to close in the coming weeks [3][6] - MicroVision aims to leverage Luminar's lidar technology to enhance its automotive capabilities, which it currently lacks [6][8] - MicroVision's CEO expressed optimism about reviving Luminar's existing contracts with automakers, viewing them as potential revenue opportunities [9][10] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - MicroVision is positioned to expand beyond its current markets of industrial use, security, and defense by integrating Luminar's technology [8] - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move to enhance MicroVision's engineering capabilities and competitiveness in the automotive sector [9]

Luminar received an even higher bid for its lidar business as a court-run auction concluded on Monday, according to a new filing in the company’s bankruptcy case. MicroVision, a Redmond, Washington-based company that has been developing its own lidar sensors, submitted a $33 million bid, eclipsing the $22 million that Quantum Computing Inc. laid out a few weeks ago as the “stalking horse” bidder. (Quantum Computing Inc. had upped its bid to $28 million but apparently was unwilling or unable to go higher. ...

Core Viewpoint - Luminar's lidar business has attracted a higher bid of $33 million from MicroVision, surpassing the previous bid of $22 million from Quantum Computing Inc. as the auction concludes in the company's bankruptcy case [1][2]. Group 1: Bidding Process - MicroVision's bid of $33 million exceeds Quantum Computing Inc.'s latest bid of $28 million, which was initially $22 million [2]. - The sale of Luminar's lidar business is pending approval from the judge overseeing the bankruptcy case, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday afternoon [2]. Group 2: Company Background and Legal Issues - It remains uncertain whether Luminar's founder and former CEO Austin Russell submitted a bid for the lidar assets, although he had previously expressed interest [3]. - Russell and Luminar have been involved in legal disputes regarding a subpoena, with the company considering legal action against him related to his resignation following an ethics inquiry [4]. - Russell has agreed to comply with the subpoena, and a protective order regarding his personal information has been established [5]. Group 3: Bankruptcy Case Progress - The potential sale of the lidar assets could expedite the resolution of Luminar's bankruptcy case, which was filed in December [5]. - Luminar has already reached an agreement to sell its semiconductor division to Quantum Computing Inc. for $110 million [5].

Core Components Developed 100% In-House, Leading the Industry with Total SPAD/SiPM Patents PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In December 2025, KnowMade, a globally renowned intellectual property (IP) research firm under Yole Group, released its LiDAR for Automotive Patent Landscape Analysis 2025, recognizing Hesai as a leader in the global lidar industry. In the report, Hesai ranks first among lidar companies in both total patent holdings and overall patent strength, and third globally behind ...

SHANGHAI, China, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hesai Group (“Hesai” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HSAI; HKEX: 2525), the global leader in three-dimensional light detection and ranging (lidar) solutions, today announced that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting of the Company’s shareholders (the “EGM”) at 3:00 p.m. Beijing time (or shortly after the conclusion or adjournment of the Class A Meeting which will commence at 1:30 p.m. (Beijing time) and the Class B Meeting which will commence at 2:00 p. ...

Core Insights - Luminar's founder and former CEO Austin Russell has agreed to accept an electronic subpoena for information related to the company's ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, with specific timelines for compliance outlined in a recent filing [1][2] Group 1: Legal Proceedings - Russell had previously been accused of avoiding the subpoena by not allowing process servers access to his Florida mansion, and he expressed concerns about the protection of his personal information [2] - The two parties have reached an agreement to clarify how Russell's personal information will be handled during the subpoena process [2] - Luminar has been seeking information from Russell since his resignation, as it considers potential legal action against him [6] Group 2: Bankruptcy and Asset Sales - Luminar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December after losing significant contracts with major customers such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, alongside increasing competition from Chinese lidar companies [3] - The company has reached a deal to sell its lidar assets to Quantum Computing Inc. for $22 million and is also attempting to sell its semiconductor division for $110 million [4] - An auction is scheduled for the end of the month to solicit bids that may exceed QCI's offer [4] Group 3: Russell's Interest in Luminar - Russell attempted to buy Luminar in October, following his resignation due to an ethics inquiry, but before the bankruptcy filing [5] - His new venture, Russell AI Labs, has indicated interest in submitting a bid for Luminar's lidar assets, although no formal offer has been made yet [5]

Core Viewpoint - The founders of Hesai Technology have established a new robotics company, Sharpa, which aims to develop general-purpose robots and core components, indicating a significant shift in focus from automotive lidar technology to robotics, which they believe has a much larger market potential [2][3][5]. Company Overview - Sharpa was founded by Hesai's co-founders, who will not hold operational roles but will guide the strategic direction. The company operates independently and has over 100 employees, primarily recruited externally [3][5]. - The first product, SharpaWave, is set to launch in October 2025 and features 22 degrees of freedom, allowing it to perform tasks like playing table tennis and origami, with a price tag of several tens of thousands of dollars [6][7]. Market Potential - The general robotics market is projected to have a trillion-dollar potential, with the founders aiming to create a world-class AI company. They believe that the opportunities in robotics are ten times greater than those in the electric vehicle sector, but the challenges are also significantly higher [5][8]. - The founders anticipate that the robotics lidar market could surpass the automotive lidar market, and they plan to develop additional components needed for robotics beyond just lidar [6]. Industry Landscape - There are over 100 startups in China focused on humanoid robots, with at least 300 entrepreneurs exploring various key components and applications in robotics [7]. - The technology roadmap for general-purpose robots is still evolving, with many companies exploring commercial applications [7]. Future Outlook - The first generation of Sharpa's products will primarily target research and experimental applications, with plans to enter service-oriented scenarios and eventually the household market, aiming for a cost below $5,000 for consumer models [7]. - The founders believe that the current moment in the robotics industry lacks a transformative breakthrough akin to the emergence of ChatGPT in the tech sector [8].

Core Insights - Senator Mitch McConnell sold shares of Luminar Technologies in 2025, following the company's bankruptcy declaration, which significantly impacted the stock's value [2][4]. Company Transactions - McConnell's spouse reported selling Luminar stock in two transactions in 2025, with the latest occurring shortly after the company declared bankruptcy [2]. - The senator's reported ownership of Luminar stock was between $15,000 to $50,000 in 2024, but the acquisition price remains unknown [3]. Stock Performance - Luminar shares closed at $5.38 at the end of 2024, peaked at $10.40 in January 2025, but fell below $5 in April 2025 [4]. - On June 26, 2025, Luminar shares traded at $2.95, reflecting a 45.2% decline from the 2024 closing price, and by December 24, 2025, the shares dropped to $0.169, a 96.9% decrease from the previous year [5]. Financial Implications - If McConnell held $15,000 in Luminar shares until December 24, 2025, the value would have plummeted to approximately $471.17, indicating a missed opportunity of $14,528.83 had he sold before the end of 2024 [6].

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hesai Technology (NASDAQ: HSAI; HKEX: 2525), a global leader in lidar solutions, announced today it has entered into a partnership with MOVIN to supply advanced lidar solutions for the company's 3D motion-capture systems. Continue Reading Hesai to supply advanced lidar solutions to MOVIN's 3D motion-capture systems Traditional motion-capture systems are expensive and complex, requiring a full studio, marker suits, skilled actors, and engineering support. They're also ...

Core Viewpoint - Luminar is facing challenges in retrieving company-owned devices from its founder and former CEO Austin Russell, which may impact potential legal actions against him [1][2][8]. Group 1: Legal and Compliance Issues - Luminar has been attempting to reclaim devices from Russell since his resignation in May, recovering six computers but still seeking his company-issued phone and a digital copy of his personal phone [2]. - The company has accused Russell and his employees of misleading legal representatives about his location, prompting them to seek court permission to serve him via mail or email [3][8]. - Russell has claimed cooperation and requested assurances regarding the protection of personal data from his devices, but Luminar's lawyers have stated they will follow court-established processes for data handling protections [4][12]. Group 2: Bankruptcy Proceedings - The emergency filing marks a significant development in Luminar's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, as the company is trying to sell its semiconductor subsidiary to Quantum Computing, Inc., with a January 9 deadline for bids on its lidar division [5]. - Prior to the bankruptcy filing, Russell attempted to buy Luminar through his new venture, Russell AI Labs, and has expressed intentions to bid during the bankruptcy process [6]. Group 3: Investigative Actions - Following Russell's resignation, Luminar's board established a Special Investigation Committee to investigate potential claims related to Russell's actions, including personal loans [9][10]. - Legal representatives from Weil, Gotshal & Manges were engaged to collect Russell's devices, but faced challenges in confirming representation and direct communication with him [11][12].