On November 14, news surfaced indicating that LiDAR specialist Hesai Technology has clinched exclusive partnership deals to equip all models of its two leading ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) clients with LiDAR systems as a standard feature in 2026. Sources familiar with the matter reveal that these key clients are none other than Xiaomi and Li Auto. Xiaomi's relationship with Hesai extends beyond a mere business partnership; it is also a major stakeholder, having spearheaded Hesai's Series D funding round in 2021 with a hefty investment of up to $374 million. Meanwhile, the collaborative journey between Li Auto and Hesai has been unfolding for several years. Back in July 2021, the duo inked a deal concerning automotive-grade semi-solid LiDAR. More recently, Hesai made an announcement stating that it had secured the sole, designated partnership for integrating LiDAR into all models of Li Auto's next-generation assisted driving platform.