Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the declining reputation of LiDAR sensors in the automotive industry and explores the potential for Western LiDAR companies, particularly Voyant Photonics, to innovate with new technologies like FMCW LiDAR based on silicon photonics [1][4]. Group 1: Industry Trends - The investment boom in the LiDAR sector was driven by the autonomous vehicle craze, leading to the rise of SPACs [2]. - Chinese LiDAR suppliers, such as Hesai and RoboSense, have gained significant momentum, capturing 93% of the passenger vehicle market and 89% of the overall LiDAR market [4]. - The attempts of Western companies to penetrate the Chinese market have largely failed, as the market is considered inaccessible [4]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - FMCW LiDAR is viewed as superior to traditional ToF LiDAR due to its ability to directly measure speed, better sunlight interference resistance, and higher distance resolution [10]. - Voyant Photonics aims to leverage silicon photonics technology to create compact and affordable LiDAR sensors for various applications beyond automotive [7][10]. - The company has developed six generations of silicon photonic technology and plans to release its Carbon series FMCW LiDAR products in 2025, which will feature advanced capabilities [12]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - There are 15 to 20 companies developing silicon photonic FMCW LiDAR, with American firms being particularly active [14]. - SiLC Technologies stands out among competitors for its maturity in FMCW development, while Voyant focuses on integrated beam control to eliminate complex mechanical components [15]. - The potential for Voyant to enter the automotive market remains uncertain, with suggestions that it could sell packaged photonic chips to existing LiDAR manufacturers [16].