In a development that underscores the rapid democratization of advanced automotive technology, Chinese electric two-wheelers are now beginning to feature LiDAR sensors. Once a differentiator reserved for high-end electric vehicles (EVs) costing tens of thousands of dollars, the sophisticated perception technology is being deployed on scooters retailing for as little as CN¥10,000 (US$1,450), signaling a seismic shift in the economics of the sensor industry.
This milestone was cemented by a partnership between Hesai Group, a leading Chinese LiDAR manufacturer, and Niu Technologies, a prominent electric two-wheeler brand. Hesai announced on Wednesday that it will supply its FTX fully solid-state blind-spot LiDAR for integration into Niu’s product lineup. The sensor will debut on Niu’s newly released NXT model, where it will function as a “super eye” to assist with safety perception on complex urban roads.
The FTX sensor is engineered specifically for dense, unpredictable environments. With an ultra-wide maximum field of view of 180 degrees by 140 degrees, it provides the scooter with all-weather, high-definition perception capabilities. This enables the vehicle to accurately identify pedestrians, other vehicles, and various road hazards in real-time, addressing a critical gap in micro-mobility safety. Li Yan, CEO of Niu, justified the integration by noting that as urban traffic environments become increasingly complex, traditional single-sensor solutions are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of higher-level riding safety.
The feasibility of placing a US$1,450 sensor on a US$1,450 vehicle rests entirely on a dramatic reduction in production costs. Hesai revealed that through advanced chip integration and mass production, it has slashed the unit cost of LiDAR from over US$50,000 a decade ago to approximately US$200 today—a drop of roughly 99.5 percent. This collapse in pricing has pushed the technology past a critical tipping point for mass adoption. By the end of 2025, the penetration rate of LiDAR in the overall Chinese passenger car market had already reached 19 percent.
This trajectory is evident across the broader Chinese automotive landscape. In January, BYD filed for a LiDAR option on its most affordable model, the $10,000 Seagull. Earlier this month, Leapmotor followed suit, filing for LiDAR integration on its A05 compact EV. These moves indicate that the sensor is rapidly migrating from premium segments to the volume market.
However, the integration into two-wheelers is arguably the most symbolic step yet. While Hesai’s longer-range sensors continue to power SAE Level 4 robotaxi programmes for global leaders like Baidu, Pony.ai, and Zoox, its ability to simultaneously supply a low-cost blind-spot sensor for an urban scooter demonstrates the immense breadth of its manufacturing scale. Hesai, which recently raised US$531 million in a Hong Kong IPO, plans to double its production capacity to over four million units annually in 2026.
