Sensata, Quanergy Partner to Sell LiDAR Worldwide

Burney Simpson

Auto parts supplier Sensata Technologies has partnered with leading LiDAR developer Quanergy Systems to expand sales of Quanergy’s sensor products.

The two announced in a joint press release that, “Together, Sensata and Quanergy will leverage Quanergy’s substantial intellectual property and current and future technology development to deliver LiDAR sensors that have substantially lower costs, higher reliability, improved capability, and lower power consumption when compared to traditional mechanical LiDAR sensors.”

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors are used extensively in autonomous vehicles, and for 3D mobile mapping, and vehicle safety systems. The sensors are commonly seen as the bulb-like devices sticking out from autonomous vehicles.

Quanergy’s LiDAR systems are marketed to auto OEMs and parts suppliers for use in consumer and fleet vehicles, and for digital mapping. Quanergy has partnerships with Mercedes, Hyundai, and Renault-Nissan.

It says its sensors have a 360 degree field of view, a several-hundred meter range, accuracy down to the centimeter, and a 30 Hertz scanning frequency.

Quanergy CEO Dr. Louay Eldada said in the release his firm will “benefit from Sensata’s new product launch and manufacturing expertise, deep customer relationships and global presence as the leading independent sensor supplier.”

The two reached a “strategic partnership and investment agreements” but no dollar value of an investment was released. Sensata will have a seat on Quanergy’s board following the deal.

CONSIDERABLY LARGER

Publicly-held Sensata (ST) is considerably larger than Quanergy.

Sensata is a Netherlands-based holding company and manufacturer and marketer of auto parts, HVAC systems, and other technology. Net revenues totaled $2.9 billion last year, up from $2.4 billion in 2014. Nearly 70 percent of revenues came from auto products in its fiscal 2015 year.

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Quanergy is privately held.

It has raised $34.5 million through several invest rounds. A Series A funding round in November 2014 garnered $30 million from Rising Tide Fund, Wicklow Capital, Motus Ventures, Wardenclyffe Partners, and others.

Morgan Hill, Calif.-based Velodyne LiDAR is another major supplier of sensors. It introduced its smaller, lighter Puck Lite sensor last month.