Idaho National Laboratory Probes Chinese Lidar for Security Risks

The Idaho National Laboratory, a Department of Energy facility, is conducting an investigation into Chinese lidar sensors to determine if they pose cybersecurity or national security risks to vehicles in the United States. The review is funded by private companies within the electric and autonomous vehicle sectors.

This probe coincides with efforts by U.S. lawmakers to ban Chinese lidar technology. Senator Tammy Baldwin is spearheading the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act, while Congressmen John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi have introduced legislation to prevent China from using the sensors for industrial espionage or transmitting sensitive data through back doors.

While the U.S. Department of Defense has already restricted suppliers Hesai Technology and RoboSense LiDAR from military contracts due to alleged support for the People’s Liberation Army, the sensors remain legal for commercial use. American automakers have considered integrating these sensors because Chinese firms have significantly reduced costs, placing intense pricing pressure on U.S. lidar manufacturers.