AEye

AEye develops artificial intelligence (AI)-powered LiDAR for various applications, including vehicle autonomy, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and robotic vision. The company’s products include “4SIGHT,” a software-defined, solid-state LiDAR sensor for automotive applications. The company claims that 4SIGHT offers the industry’s longest detection range with the ability to identify small obstacles at over 300m and a 128 degree horizontal field of view (FoV). 4SIGHT uses adaptive LiDAR sensors as opposed to traditional sensors that passively collect data. AEye’s next gen product “4IGHT Flex,” is an ultra-compact, high-performance LiDAR for in-cabin autonomy and safety features. It comes with a 120 x 30-degree FoV, high resolution, and a detection range of up to 275 meters. The company launched a new 4Sight product line in November 2022, which it claims was built on a high-performance adaptive LiDAR platform. In March 2024 , AEye announced the launch of Apollo, the first product in the 4Sight Flex Lidar series. As of July 2023, AEye held 120 patents for its technology solutions.

The company’s business model also involves licensing software sensing platforms to automotive partners and outright sale of software-configured hardware products in partnership with system integrators in industrial markets.

Key customers and partnerships

The company began has been producing and supplying its sensors since late 2021, in partnership with electronic solutions provider LITEON Technology Corporation (May 2024), electronics manufacturer Sanmina Corporation (July 2021), German automotive parts manufacturer Continental (October 2020), simulation software provider Ansys (January 2020), and other system integrators. Its customers include Nvidia (July 2020), Continental (August 2021), and autonomous trucking company TuSimple (July 2021).

Funding and financials

AEye generated revenue of USD 1.5 million and reported an operating loss of USD 87.8 million during the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on Nasdaq since August 2021, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 1.52 billion (May 2021).