Chinese lidar maker with Nvidia ties accused of being cyber risk for U.S.

CNBC reports that Hesai Technology, a Shanghai-based lidar maker used in autonomous vehicles and robotics, is facing renewed scrutiny over U.S. national security and cybersecurity risks. The company remains blacklisted by the Pentagon as a Chinese military entity, yet it continues expanding in U.S. markets through commercial use and a broader partnership with Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle platform. Critics warn Chinese-made lidar could be vulnerable to malware, spoofing, or data exploitation, while Hesai says its sensors store no data and are safe. The article highlights the tension between low-cost Chinese components and U.S. security concerns, noting potential future regulatory pressure similar to Huawei, DJI, and TP-Link. For Nvidia investors, the issue is reputational and regulatory risk rather than immediate financial impact, but it could affect supply-chain choices in autonomous driving and robotics if lawmakers or agencies move to restrict Chinese lidar.