There are 38 models equipped with LiDARs, of which BYD-backed RoboSense is the biggest winner, being the supplier of 18 of them.

On April 14, 2021, Xpeng unveiled the P5, the world's first LiDAR-equipped production car, on the eve of the last Shanghai auto show.

Notably, the P5 used LiDAR provided by Livox, incubated by drone maker DJI. However, Xpeng switched to RoboSense's LiDARs for all subsequent models.

AITO, the EV brand jointly created by Huawei and Seres Group, also uses RoboSense's M Series LiDAR in the M5 SUV. Among other high-profile models, the Lotus Eletre, GAC Aion Hyper GT, Arcfox α-S with " Huawei Inside" are also equipped with RoboSense's LiDARs.

In addition to RoboSense, Innovusion and Hesai are the other two major players.

Among the vehicles on display at the Shanghai auto show, six Nio models -- the new ES8, ES7, new ES6, EC7, ET7 and ET5 -- are equipped with Innovusion's Falcon LiDARs.

Innovusion had a booth at the show and used an ET7 as a vehicle to showcase its product.

Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) currently has three models on sale -- Li L7, Li L8 and Li L9 -- all equipped with Hesai's AT128 LiDARs. HiPhi's HiPhi Z and HiPhi Y are also equipped with the component from Hesai.

For smart driving, vehicles need to detect their surroundings, and a single type of sensor often encounters scenarios that are not covered by its capabilities, a RoboSense source told CnEVPost.

The addition of LiDAR makes up for the weaknesses of other sensors, thus making the perception system capability more comprehensive and the smart driving decisions safer and more reasonable, the source said.

RoboSense flexes muscles at Tech Day, unveils new solid-state LiDAR and dedicated lab for testing