AEye and Black Sesame Technologies Drive Safer Railways in China
AEye, already celebrated for its pioneering Apollo lidar sensor, has embarked on a bold venture: a strategic cooperation agreement with Black Sesame Technologies, aiming to revolutionise autonomous rail safety in China.
This alliance magnets industry attention by marrying AEye’s ultra‑long‑range lidar with Black Sesame’s formidable AI compute stack. The ambition? To deliver a full‑stack, plug‑and‑play solution that elevates obstacle detection and early warning across high‑speed railway systems.
This collaboration is more than a handshake; it’s a clear signal of AEye’s increased commitment to penetrating mainland China—currently the largest lidar market globally. Meanwhile, Black Sesame brings its automotive‑grade computing muscle to the table—the Huashan and Wudang series chipsets and AI stacks honed for smart vehicles and autonomy.
Safety on the Fast Track
China’s expansive high‑speed rail network demands safety systems that can match its pace. Traditional obstacle detection systems often suffer from limited range or computational lag.
By integrating a 1550 nm Apollo lidar—renowned for detecting objects up to one kilometre—with high‑performance AI computing, this union is poised to:
- Offer ultra‑long‑range detection
- Enhance reliability by processing data in real time
- Simplify deployment through plug‑and‑play implementation
In short, it’s a potent brew of innovation and pragmatism that could raise the bar for railway safety standards.
Innovation Meets Purpose
The spirit of the partnership is best captured in the principals’ own words:
“I couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Black Sesame Technologies. Pairing our industry‑leading 1550 nm Apollo lidar with Black Sesame Technologies’ intelligent perception stack is anticipated to create a best‑in‑class solution for customers in China, currently the world’s largest lidar market,” said Matt Fisch, CEO of AEye.
And from Black Sesame’s side: “Our partnership with AEye pioneers a new standard for AI‑based rail safety. By fusing ultra‑long‑range sensing with mission‑critical computing, we’re intending to deliver the world’s most reliable obstacle detection system for trains. We are very pleased that our system has been selected by a top‑tier Chinese OEM,” remarked Wilson Liu, Co‑founder & President of Black Sesame Technologies.
These comments juggle aspiration with specificity—enough to excite stakeholders but grounded in tangible objectives.
The Companies at a Glance
AEye has carved a strong reputation in lidar innovation, offering sensors ideal not only for vehicles but also for smart infrastructure and logistics. Its OPTIS™ platform is a full‑stack system that sees, interprets, and guides action in real time. The Apollo sensor, with its compact build and kilometre‑range capability, remains its flagship.
Black Sesame Technologies, founded in 2016 and based in Wuhan, has rapidly risen in China’s AI chip landscape. Listed in Hong Kong since 2024 (stock code 2533.HK), the company delivers automotive‑grade computing solutions such as the Huashan and Wudang platforms, widely used for advanced autonomy in smart vehicles. Its backing by heavyweights like Tencent, Xiaomi, and Geely underscores its credibility and reach.
Strategic and Market Implications
For transportation networks: A ready‑to‑deploy system tailored to high‑speed rail safety challenges can fast‑track adoption, particularly when endorsed by an OEM in China.
For stakeholders (investors, policymakers): This venture signals convergence of lidar and AI tech, creating opportunities for regulatory support, future standardisation, and funding for safer infrastructure.
For the sector: Combining Apollo’s long‑range lidar with neural‑grade compute could inspire broader applications in freight, logistics, and smart city rail corridors.
Roadmap to Transformation
Outlined below is how this partnership may unfold:
- System integration – Apollo lidar and AI stack aligned into a cohesive module.
- OEM trials – Deploy with a major Chinese rail OEM to validate real‑world performance.
- Expansion – Scale across regions and lines, using early successes to win broader approvals.
- Ecosystem growth – Other infrastructure players, tier‑1 OEMs, and tech firms may join or supply components.
- Global export potential – If results exceed expectations, similar solutions might enter other markets with advanced rail systems.
What This Means for Safety Innovation
This alliance exemplifies how industry can mind the gap between cutting‑edge tech and practical needs. It’s not just about detecting objects; it’s about embedding the intelligence that anticipates threats before they emerge. That’s rail safety reimagined.
Poised for Impact
With this agreement, AEye and Black Sesame are setting their sights firmly on transforming Chinese rail safety—and possibly beyond. By fusing ultra‑long‑range lidar sensing with intelligent AI computation, they’ve laid a solid foundation. If this plug‑and‑play solution lives up to its ambition, it could rewrite the rulebook for autonomous safety systems on steel rails worldwide.
Here’s to a future where precision meets performance—and rails become smarter, safer, and ever more reliable.
