Hesai launches 3D spatial camera as Chinese lidar maker expands into physical AI

Hesai Group, a global leader in vehicle lidar sensors, has introduced a handheld 3D spatial camera called Kosmo, as the company ventures into physical artificial intelligence to explore new growth avenues. Kosmo is marketed as a "physical AI eye," converting real-world environments into intricate 3D models, with the aim of standardizing the digitization of complex spaces like campuses and factories.

David Li Yifan, Hesai's CEO, announced the launch during a media briefing, stating that the device fits into a broader strategy to develop infrastructure for the physical AI industry. The device, powered by an intelligent platform that integrates AI algorithms, digital 3D models, and cloud services, could prove invaluable to filmmakers, video game developers, and cultural service providers by quickly transforming physical environments into production-ready 3D content.

Li envisions a Kosmo platform to aid in the development of robots during the evolution of embodied AI. Hesai has already formed a partnership with Pixar Animation Studios to develop related Kosmo technologies. The company aims to morph into a broader technology enterprise as the AI industry expands, potentially supplying its innovations to businesses such as humanoid robot manufacturers.

In August, Hesai's CFO, Andrew Fan, declared in the South China Morning Post that the company was not merely an automotive supplier, citing its expansion into AI-related products. In April, Hesai unveiled its "6D" full-color platform, enabling lidar sensors to measure distances and identify minute objects with unparalleled precision, thanks to their ability to detect X, Y, and Z coordinates, reflectivity, velocity, and color.

The lidar sensors rely on Hesai's in-house Picasso chip and remain undelivered to customers at the moment. Hesai's foray into AI comes amidst Beijing's efforts to position China as a global leader in robotics, bolstered by its thriving industrial robot market and leading humanoid robot development. In 2024, China claimed 54% of the world's industrial robot installations, according to the International Federation of Robotics data released in September 2025.

Hesai's lidar sensors aid intelligent vehicles in mapping their surroundings. The company supplies its products to China's ten largest automotive groups, reporting a net income of 70.6 million yuan (US$10.4 million) for Q2 2025, a 60% increase from the previous year, with revenue growing 21% to 860.8 million yuan.