Core Viewpoint - The emphasis on safety in the lidar industry is becoming increasingly critical, with companies like Hesai Technology highlighting that the lower limit of safety is essential for the upper limit of performance to be meaningful [3][4]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - The frequent mention of safety by industry leaders indicates a shift in focus from technical specifications to safety as a primary concern in the lidar sector [3]. - The integration of multiple sensors, including lidar, is seen as a necessary redundancy for ensuring safety in autonomous driving systems [4]. - Incidents such as the Xiaomi SU7 fire have sparked discussions on the importance of lidar for providing additional reaction time in emergencies [5]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - Hesai Technology has introduced photon isolation technology to address issues of false positives and negatives in lidar systems, which is crucial for ensuring safety [7]. - The company is also focusing on cost reduction through chip integration, launching the Fermi C500, a high-performance smart control chip based on a self-controlled RISC-V architecture [7]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The lidar market is highly concentrated, with the top three companies—Huawei, Hesai Technology, and Suteng Juchuang—holding over 90% of the market share [8]. - All leading companies are actively enhancing the safety features of their lidar products, with Huawei introducing a lidar-camera fusion product and Suteng Juchuang launching a high-precision lidar [8]. Group 4: Regulatory Environment - New regulations, such as the stringent L2-level driving assistance safety standards, are pushing companies to elevate safety measures in their lidar systems [9].

Core Viewpoint - The focus on safety in lidar technology is becoming increasingly critical as the autonomous driving industry evolves, with companies like Hesai Technology emphasizing that safety should not be overlooked in favor of technical specifications [1][4]. Group 1: Safety Emphasis - Hesai Technology's co-founder highlighted the importance of safety in lidar systems, stating that the lower limit of safety is crucial for the overall experience [1]. - The frequency of safety mentions during industry presentations is notably high, indicating a shift in focus towards safety amidst rising competition and incidents in autonomous driving [1][3]. - The integration of lidar as a safety sensor is becoming a competitive focal point in the industry, especially following several high-profile accidents [1][2]. Group 2: Multi-Sensor Fusion - Domestic automakers are primarily adopting multi-sensor fusion strategies for autonomous driving, with lidar being a key component for safety redundancy [2]. - The decision to retain lidar in vehicles is driven by safety concerns, particularly in challenging driving conditions [2][3]. - Recent accidents have sparked discussions about the potential safety benefits of incorporating lidar into vehicles, leading to new models being equipped with this technology [2]. Group 3: Technical Challenges - The effectiveness of lidar as a safety feature hinges on its ability to avoid false positives and negatives, similar to how airbags function [3]. - Previous incidents have highlighted the risks associated with lidar misinterpretations, such as false alarms triggered by environmental factors [3]. - Current lidar technologies face challenges like "high reflectivity expansion," which can lead to safety risks, necessitating advancements in design [3][4]. Group 4: Industry Developments - Hesai Technology has introduced photon isolation technology to enhance lidar safety by ensuring that each channel operates independently, reducing the risk of false readings [4][5]. - The development of proprietary chips aims to lower costs while improving performance, reflecting the competitive nature of the lidar market [5]. - Leading companies in the lidar sector are actively enhancing safety features in their products, with notable advancements from Huawei and Suteng Ju Chuang [5][6]. Group 5: Regulatory Influence - New regulations, such as the stringent L2-level driving assistance safety standards, are pushing companies to elevate safety measures in their lidar systems [6]. - The regulatory environment is expected to create a larger market for lidar while simultaneously imposing higher safety requirements [6].