August 28, 2025

KnowMade’s Expertise in Sensing & Imaging

Intelligent Perception at the Core of Autonomous Innovation

Advanced sensing and imaging technologies are foundational to the evolution of autonomous systems and intelligent environments. From autonomous vehicles and industrial robots to drones and smart infrastructure, next-generation systems must perceive, understand, and respond to their surroundings with high precision, reliability, and speed.

Technologies such as LiDAR, imaging radar, CMOS image sensors (CIS), infrared, and multispectral cameras are now integrated into advanced sensor fusion systems that provide real-time environmental awareness for autonomous systems. Imaging radar, a form of high-resolution millimeter-wave radar, is increasingly used in automotive applications such as 3D or 4D radar. These systems generate spatially rich point clouds, enabling accurate localization, object classification, and velocity estimation, even in poor weather or low-visibility conditions. When combined with LiDAR and event-based cameras, these sensors complement one another, enhancing perception robustness in complex and dynamic environments.

This convergence is accelerated by advances in artificial intelligence and on-device computing. Machine learning algorithms are now capable of interpreting large volumes of multimodal sensor data in real time, enabling fast object detection, behavior prediction, and semantic scene understanding. Custom system-on-chip platforms integrate sensor interfaces, data pipelines, and AI accelerators to support real-time perception in constrained environments such as vehicles, drones, and mobile robots.

Sensor hardware itself is evolving rapidly. LiDAR, imaging radar, cameras, and infrared imaging modules are redefining what is possible in terms of performance, efficiency, and system integration. These innovations require coordinated development across hardware, software, and packaging, opening new opportunities for functionality, scalability, and intellectual property creation.

In this dynamic landscape, innovation is not limited to hardware alone. Software-defined sensing, adaptive calibration, AI-based interpretation, and edge-level sensor control are becoming strategic differentiators. Component suppliers, Tier 1s, and system integrators are increasingly investing in research and patent strategies to secure their competitive positions in emerging autonomous and intelligent systems.

Challenges for Sensing and Imaging Technologies

As autonomous and intelligent systems become more pervasive across industries, the performance and integration requirements for sensing technologies continue to intensify. Devices must deliver higher resolution, faster response, and greater robustness under varying environmental conditions, while remaining compact, power-efficient, and economically scalable.

Core challenges include achieving accurate depth perception in dynamic and adverse environments, managing real-time data fusion from heterogeneous sensors, and ensuring low-latency response with minimal interference. Designers must integrate LiDAR, imaging radar, and vision-based systems (CIS, IR) into unified hardware platforms that meet stringent mechanical, thermal, and signal integrity requirements.

Emerging technologies such as frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar (FMCW Radar), MEMS-based solid-state LiDAR, and neuromorphic vision sensors are reshaping the sensing landscape. These innovations demand coordinated advances in signal architectures, semiconductor design, system packaging, and embedded intelligence.

Beyond autonomous vehicles, sensing and perception technologies are becoming central to a wide range of fields including healthcare monitoring, smart cities, robotics, precision agriculture, environmental sensing, and industrial automation. In each domain, sensing systems must be tailored to unique performance thresholds, regulatory frameworks, and environmental constraints.

From fundamental hardware components to high-level sensor fusion and perception layers, innovation increasingly relies on the seamless integration of software and hardware. AI-enabled fusion algorithms, edge-level inference, and adaptive calibration are becoming as critical as sensor specifications themselves, bringing new complexity to system design, validation, and IP strategy.

Key industry players such as Bosch, Denso, and Continental, along with a growing number of sensor technology companies, ADAS developers, and OEMs, are expanding their patent portfolios in sensor hardware, fusion algorithms, and perception software. Vertical integration strategies and mergers and acquisitions are intensifying competition and raising the strategic importance of intellectual property.

KnowMade’s Purpose

At KnowMade, we deliver patent-driven strategic intelligence to help clients navigate the fast-evolving landscape of sensing and imaging technologies, with a particular focus on LiDAR, imaging radar, and camera. We analyze intellectual property trends across the entire innovation stack, from device physics and semiconductor processes to signal processing, sensor fusion, and embedded perception systems.

Our analyses cover both short- and long-range LiDAR as well as high-resolution imaging radar, which are essential for autonomous driving, industrial automation, robotics, and smart infrastructure. We monitor innovation in solid-state LiDAR, radar architectures, digital beamforming, real-time tracking and mapping, and AI-enabled perception. This allows our clients to understand how technologies are maturing, where key players are investing, and how competing approaches intersect.

As sensing and communication increasingly converge, particularly through integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems envisioned for next-generation wireless networks, we also track patent activity at the intersection of RF front-end design, advanced sensing algorithms, and shared hardware platforms. Our insights support early strategic positioning in domains where IP boundaries are still emerging.

KnowMade’s expertise spans multiple levels of the technology chain. We analyze wafer-level platforms including silicon, SOI, GaAs, and MEMS, as well as sensor packaging strategies such as chiplet architectures, three-dimensional integration, and system-in-package configurations. Our monitors and reports help clients assess innovation dynamics and risk exposure across sensor front-ends, fusion engines, and connectivity-enhanced perception modules.

We offer tailored analysis and monitoring services aligned with your strategic goals. Whether you are identifying disruptive newcomers, benchmarking the IP strength of competitors, or preparing for freedom-to-operate analysis, prior-art searches, or infringement investigations, our intelligence helps you make informed and confident decisions. By tracking R&D signals, cross-sector patent activity, and early-stage patent filings, we enable our clients to build strong, defensible IP portfolios and stay ahead in highly competitive technology environments.


Latest patent landscapes on Sensing & Imaging technologies

Featured image of the LiDAR for automotive patent landscape 2025.
The global IP battlefield is heating up: who are the key players, and which technologies will shape the future of LiDAR for automotive? Publication December [...]
The global IP battlefield is heating up: who are the key players, and which technologies will shape the future of imaging radar for autonomous mobility? Publication [...]
    KnowMade has just published a new report, updating this analysis in 2025. Follow this link to discover it: LiDAR for Automotive Patent Landscape [...]

Latest insights on Sensing & Imaging technologies

Featured image of the article From Competitor to Leader: Hesai in LiDAR Patent Landscape.
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France, November 25, 2025 │ According to KnowMade’s upcoming LiDAR for Automotive (ADAS and Robotic Vehicles) Patent Landscape Analysis 2025, the global patent [...]
Featured image of the article Intel-Mobileye Leading th Imaging Radar IP Landscape within ADAS Platform Companies.
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France, September 5, 2025 │ KnowMade has released its new study, Imaging Radar for Autonomous Systems – Patent Landscape Analysis 2025, a comprehensive [...]
Featured image of the article Mapping the Global Patent Landscape of 4D Imaging Radar in Autonomous Driving.
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France – Juin 12, 2025 │ Autonomous driving is no longer just a matter of adding more sensors. It now demands systems that [...]

November 25, 2025

From Competitor to Leader: Hesai in LiDAR Patent Landscape

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France, November 25, 2025 │ According to KnowMade’s upcoming LiDAR for Automotive (ADAS and Robotic Vehicles) Patent Landscape Analysis 2025, the global patent landscape for automotive LiDAR has reached a new level of intensity. As of October 2025, the field contains more than 36,000 patent families and over 62,000 individual patents. Since 2020, patent activity has increased at an estimated 27% CAGR (compound annual growth rate), which marks the transition of LiDAR into a phase of fast and broad intellectual property (IP) expansion.

This surge reflects a fundamental shift in the industry. KnowMade’s earlier dataset from 2021 counted roughly 11,900 patent families. The growth from that level to more than 36,000 patent families within four years shows that LiDAR innovation has become extremely competitive and increasingly multi-layered. Patent filings now cover almost every element of the technology, including emitters, receivers, scanning architectures, optical subsystems, packaging, calibration, interference mitigation and system-level integration. A wide range of players are participating, including Tier-1 suppliers, LiDAR pure players, automakers, autonomous driving companies and academic institutions. The diversity of patent applicants demonstrates that the technology has reached a pivotal moment, where multiple routes are being explored and protected.

Market expectations help explain this acceleration. Yole Group forecasts that the global automotive LiDAR market will grow to 3.56 billion US dollars by 2030. The growth is supported by wider adoption of L2 and L3 driver assistance functions and the increasing need for reliable perception in mass-market vehicles. The similarity between the market CAGR and the patent CAGR demonstrates a clear industry signal:

“The race to control LiDAR’s IP is directly tied to the race for future market dominance.”

LiDAR Pure Players and the Shift in IP Leadership

The rapid expansion of the automotive LiDAR patent landscape has also reshaped the structure of competition. One of the clearest trends emerging from KnowMade’s earlier 2022 analysis and the new 2025 dataset is the rising influence of LiDAR pure players. These companies focus almost entirely on LiDAR technology rather than spreading their R&D across a broader sensing portfolio. As a result, they often demonstrate deeper technical specialization, faster iteration cycles and more deliberate intellectual property strategies.

Back in the 2022 edition of KnowMade’s LiDAR for Automotive patent report, the field was still strongly shaped by established Tier-1 suppliers and a group of early LiDAR innovators. At that time, the distribution of patent ownership followed a relatively traditional hierarchy. However, when we compare the IP leadership landscape of 2021 with the newly updated 2025 data, the change is striking. Pure players have moved from secondary positions to the center of the competitive landscape. Their patent portfolios have expanded rapidly in both scale and diversity, with strengthened positions in areas such as solid-state architectures, beam steering, optical assemblies, semiconductor receivers, packaging and system-level integration.

This shift is especially clear when isolating pure players. The IP leadership map (Figure 1) shows many companies moving upward and to the right, indicating stronger granted portfolios and higher volumes of active applications.

Bubble graph showing the IP leadership since 2021 for automotive LIDAR.

Figure 1: Evolution of IP leadership of LiDAR pure players from 2021 to 2025 for Automotive LiDAR

The most notable trend in the 2025 IP landscape is the rapid rise of several Chinese pure players. Hesai, Robosense and Vanjee all show pronounced upward and rightward movement. This indicates that they have strengthened their core patent assets while expanding their ongoing innovation pipelines. Their rate of progress surpasses that of most other pure players in the chart and reflects the accelerating innovation capability emerging from China’s LiDAR industry.

This shift is especially visible when compared with Ouster (including Sense Photonics and Velodyne LiDAR). In 2021, Ouster held one of the leading IP positions among pure players, supported by a large and active patent portfolio. By 2025, however, its relative IP position is overtaken by the faster-growing Chinese companies. Hesai now clearly occupies the upper IP leadership zone with large patent family scale among pure players, while Robosense and Vanjee also advance into stronger positions. This shows that Chinese companies are now among the most rapidly advancing innovators in the global pure-player segment.

Among LiDAR pure players, Hesai shows a clear and decisive advancement in its IP position. In the 2021 landscape, it appeared within the general cluster of emerging innovators. By 2025, it has moved into the leadership quadrant, supported by a substantially expanded patent portfolio and a strong combination of granted patents and active filings. The size and placement of Hesai’s bubble on the chart indicate both scale and depth, positioning it as a mature and influential LiDAR technology holder within the pure-player group.

Hesai’s IP Portfolio: Broad, Structured and Technically Diverse

Hesai Technology is a Shanghai-based LiDAR company founded in 2014. In addition to its earlier listing on Nasdaq (HSAI), the company further strengthened its capital market presence by successfully listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (02525.HK) on 16 September 2025, marking an important step in its expansion as a global LiDAR supplier. The dual-listing structure reflects Hesai’s ambition to serve both international and domestic automotive markets while maintaining strong access to global capital.

Hesai’s portfolio covers several product families, including the AT series for long-range automotive ADAS, the ET and FT solid-state platforms, and XT, OT and JT series for robotics and non-automotive uses. Independent market studies and recent press releases describe Hesai as holding a leading share of global LiDAR revenue and as the first LiDAR company to reach one million units of cumulative production, with large-scale contracts in both ADAS passenger cars and robotaxis. Technically, the company is investing heavily in next-generation architectures. It began research on SPAD digital LiDAR in 2016 and strengthened this direction through the acquisition of Swiss company Fastree3D and its SPAD patent portfolio, which is now part of Hesai’s solid-state FTX platform.

Three graphs showing an overview of Hesai's IP portfolio related to automotive LIDAR.

Figure 2: Overview of Hesai’s IP portfolio related to automotive LiDAR

The IP profile (Figure 2) gives a detailed view of Hesai’s patent activity. KnowMade identified 920 patent applications grouped into 558 patent families relating to automotive LiDAR. Notably, 400 inventions since July 2021 represent over 70% of all filings, indicating exceptionally intense activity in the past four years. The time-evolution chart also shows strong publication peaks in 2022 and 2024 and a still high level in 2025, even though data for 2025 is not complete. This pattern is consistent with Hesai’s move from technology development into large-scale automotive programs, where patent protection around core designs becomes critical.

Geographically, China represents Hesai’s core patent base, with strong portfolios also present in the United States, followed by Europe, Japan and Korea. A visible share of patent filings through PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) procedure indicates a global IP strategy with optionality for later international extensions.

The bar chart on the right illustrates the breadth of Hesai’s technical exploration. The largest patent segments lie in SPAD and SiPM, VCSEL and APD, which form the foundation of next-generation solid-state and hybrid LiDAR systems. Hesai’s commitment to this direction is further reinforced by its late-2023 acquisition of Fastree3D, a Swiss pioneer in SPAD technology with academic roots in EPFL. Additional investments span 1550-nm architectures, MEMS, metasurface optics, packaging and integration, interference management, sensor fusion and AI-based processing. The diversity of patent filings since 2021 shows consistent growth across nearly all technological segments, reflecting a deliberate effort to build a comprehensive and future-ready IP portfolio.

Representative Innovations in Hesai’s SPAD and SiPM Technology Pathway

Hesai has also made clear progress in SPAD and SiPM–based detection technologies, as reflected in several recent patents. One example is the patent application US20250306173, which introduces a multi-emission SPAD signal-fusion mechanism that aggregates outputs from different pixels across consecutive laser shots to improve signal-to-noise ratio and enhance long-range detection. Another example, US20240192339, focuses on SiPM receivers and proposes dynamic bias-voltage control that adapts to echo strength and detection timing, allowing the LiDAR to maintain high sensitivity while avoiding saturation. A third representative patent, CN114167431, presents an ambient-light-adaptive SPAD/SiPM region-selection strategy that adjusts which sub-arrays are activated under different lighting conditions to preserve SNR and stability. Together, these inventions show that Hesai is not only investing broadly in SPAD and SiPM hardware, but also advancing the associated signal processing, adaptive control and environmental-robustness mechanisms that are essential for next-generation solid-state LiDAR.

Graphics extracted from Hesai's patent US20250306173.

Figure 3: A detection unit consistent a plurality of pixels and each pixel includes a plurality SPAD (Hesai, US20250306173).

Hesai’s Advancements Across Key LiDAR Technology Pathways

In addition to progress in SPAD and SiPM detection technologies, Hesai is also advancing along several other core LiDAR architecture routes. A recent VCSEL-related patent application (WO2025/140349) describes a polarization-controlled VCSEL structure that achieves higher mode selectivity through an external grating, improving emission stability at 1150 nm and supporting more efficient solid-state transmitter designs. In long-wavelength architectures, the granted patent US10901074 introduces a 1550 nm eye-safe LiDAR system that converts long-wavelength echoes into shorter wavelengths detectable by SiPMs, combining high-range detection with detector compatibility and safety advantages. Hesai is also exploring novel optical components, as shown in patent CN119644296, which proposes a metasurface-based transmitter lens design that enables flexible beam shaping, wider field-of-view options and compact packaging. In addition, the company strengthens system robustness through interference-mitigation techniques. The PTC application WO2021/169714 outlines a method that distinguishes true echoes from external interference by correlating pulse-width characteristics, thereby improving detection reliability in multi-sensor or multi-LiDAR environments. Together, these patents show that Hesai is not only investing in photon-counting receivers but advancing a broad set of next-generation technologies spanning transmitters, optics, wavelength architectures and system-level interference resistance.

Diagram extracted from a Hesai's patent (WO2025/140349).

Figure 4: A schematic diagram of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) (Hesai, WO2025/140349)

Recent Litigation Activities Involving Hesai

Hesai has recently been involved in high-profile IP litigation on both defensive and offensive fronts, highlighting the strategic value of LiDAR patents.

  • Being sued (Ouster vs Hesai): On May 19, 2025, Ouster filed a complaint at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The case concerns Ouster’s patent US11175405, which relates to spinning LiDAR units with micro-optics aligned behind a stationary window. The accused products are Hesai’s rotating LiDAR units, and the case remains open.
  • Filing suit (Hesai vs Seyond): On October 28, 2025, Hesai filed a patent-infringement case against Seyond at the Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court in China, asserting that Seyond’s Lingque E1X solid-state LiDAR exhibited core overlaps with Hesai’s AT-series technologies. The case has been officially accepted.

These parallel actions show that Hesai is both defending itself in major international IP disputes and actively asserting its own patent rights, reinforcing the strategic importance of LiDAR intellectual property as the technology becomes increasingly competitive and commercially significant.

About the Upcoming LiDAR for Automotive – Patent Landscape Analysis 2025

As the LiDAR industry enters a phase of rapid technological consolidation and intensified IP competition, the upcoming LiDAR for Automotive – Patent Landscape Analysis 2025 delivers a complete, data-driven view of global IP trends. It reveals which companies are shaping future architectures, where innovation is accelerating and how patent strategies influence competitive positioning. It is designed for companies seeking clear visibility into IP dynamics, competitor positioning and long-term innovation pathways.

Key Highlights

Report Package

  • 150+ slide PDF report
  • Methodology, executive summary and full patent landscape analysis
  • One-hour online presentation with the report’s author (results + Q&A)

Patent Landscape Overview

  • Global IP trends and publication time-evolution
  • Geographic distribution of patent filings
  • Major patent assignees and IP player timeline
  • Newcomers driving recent innovation
  • IP leadership evolution: 2021 vs 2025
  • Geographic coverage of top players
  • High-impact patent assignees
  • Co-owned IP and collaboration patterns
  • US litigations

Technology Segmentation

  • Patents classified across all major LiDAR approaches, including: ToF, FMCW, Phase Shift, MEMS, Hybrid Scanning, OPA, Flash, Metasurface / Nanophotonics, Photonic-Integrated LiDAR, 1550 nm, VCSEL, SPAD / SiPM, APD, Packaging & Integration, Calibration, Fusion, AI, Anti-interference
  • Analysis of representative patents in each segment

IP Strength & Player Profiles

  • Comparative strength of leading patent portfolios
  • Detailed IP profiles of selected companies across the ecosystem (with Hesai used as an example in this article), including: LiDAR pure players; Tier-1 suppliers; Autonomous driving / robotic vehicle companies; Car makers
  • Portfolio size, growth, legal status, technical segmentation and notable patents

Excel Database

  • Complete dataset of 36,200+ patent families
  • Focus set of 24,300+ families from the last four years
  • Segmentation fields and direct hyperlinks to the updated online database

Why This Report Matters

This upcoming report serves as a strategic tool for companies operating anywhere along the automotive LiDAR value chain. By consolidating more than a decade of global patent activity, the report helps readers identify which technologies are becoming dominant, which players are gaining or losing momentum and where future competition is likely to concentrate. It provides actionable insights for R&D planning, competitive benchmarking, technology roadmapping, risk assessment and partnership or licensing strategies. For organizations navigating the rapid shift toward solid-state LiDAR, sensor fusion and next-generation optical architectures, this report offers a clear and evidence-based understanding of how intellectual property will shape the industry’s next phase.

For more information or quotation inquiries, please feel free to contact us.


Press contact
contact@knowmade.fr
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About the author
Yanni Zhou, PhD., works at KnowMade in the field of RF Technologies for Wireless Communications, Sensing, and Imaging. She holds a Ph.D. in RF and Wireless Communication from the University of Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRIA, France, and an Engineer’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from INSA Lyon, France. Yanni previously worked at Nokia Bell Labs, Strategy & Technology, focusing on RF front-end systems and advanced sensing technologies. Her expertise also includes the design of radar sensing systems, enabling precise detection in complex and dynamic environments. She is the inventor of over 20 patents and has authored more than 10 scientific publications in the field.
Nicolas Baron, PhD., CEO and co-founder of KnowMade. He manages the development and strategic orientations of the company and personally leads the Semiconductor department. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, and a Master of Intellectual Property Strategies and Innovation from the European Institute for Enterprise and Intellectual Property (IEEPI) in Strasbourg, France.

About KnowMade
KnowMade is a technology intelligence and IP strategy firm specializing in the analysis of patents and scientific publications. We assist innovative companies, investors, and research organizations in understanding the competitive landscape, anticipating technological trends, identifying opportunities and risks, improving their R&D, and shaping effective IP strategies.
KnowMade’s analysts combine their strong technology expertise and in-depth knowledge of patents with powerful analytics tools and methodologies to transform patent and scientific data into actionable insights to support decision-making in R&D, innovation, investment, and intellectual property.
KnowMade has solid expertise in Semiconductors and Packaging, Power Electronics, Batteries and Energy Management, RF and Wireless Communications, Photonics, MEMS, Sensing and Imaging, Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Agri-Food.

September 5, 2025

Intel-Mobileye Leading the Imaging Radar IP Landscape Within ADAS Platform Companies

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France, September 5, 2025 │ KnowMade has released its new study, Imaging Radar for Autonomous Systems – Patent Landscape Analysis 2025, a comprehensive report that analyzes one of the most competitive intellectual property (IP) battlefields in autonomy. The study identifies more than 22,200 patent applications, grouped into over 10,600 patent families, including about 2,800 core inventions directly related to imaging radar. It highlights how patent activity in this field has grown by more than 1,100% between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the rapid evolution of imaging radar from a complementary sensor into a central perception modality across mobility, robotics, aerospace, marine, and defense.

To map this innovation race, the report provides detailed IP profiles of leading companies and classifies all patent assignees into eight categories: academia, aerospace, automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, defense and security companies, electronics firms, sensing and ADAS specialists, and technology providers. This segmentation shows how imaging radar patents are being filed across a wide range of industries, with established leaders such as Intel-Mobileye, Bosch, General Motors, Alphabet-Waymo, Huawei-Yinwang, and Magna expanding diversified patent portfolios, while innovators like Arbe Robotics, Uhnder, Aptiv, and Metawave are securing focused IP positions in 4D imaging radar, AI-based perception, and point cloud processing.

Sensing/Imaging/ADAS Companies: Who Is Leading?

In this insight, we focus on one specific category of patent assignees highlighted in the report: sensing and ADAS specialists. Unlike automakers or Tier-1 suppliers that primarily emphasize system integration and large-scale deployment, these companies are advancing innovation at the perception and computation level while also working to build end-to-end ADAS platforms. Their patent portfolios are centered on radar architectures, perception algorithms, point-cloud generation, AI-based signal processing, and multi-sensor fusion, which represent the essential building blocks of next-generation autonomous driving stacks. To capture the true innovation drivers, we identified the core inventions within our patent database and selected this group of companies for closer analysis.

The figure 1 illustrates the IP leadership of sensing and ADAS specialists based on their core inventions in imaging radar for autonomous systems. The patent landscape reveals a clear hierarchy. Intel-Mobileye stands out as the most influential IP player, combining the highest number of granted patents with a strong pipeline of pending applications. Its patent portfolio reflects both early-stage breakthroughs and sustained R&D, consolidating its ambition to anchor radar as a cornerstone of its ADAS perception stack. Huawei-Yinwang also secures a leading position. As a rising yet leading intelligent vehicle solutions provider, Huawei-Yinwang has been advancing its proprietary ADAS platform, while the rapid growth of its radar patent filings reflects both aggressive IP expansion and a strong build-up of expertise in radar hardware and signal processing. Alphabet-Waymo maintains a balanced portfolio of granted patents and pending applications. Unlike Huawei, Waymo has concentrated more on integrating radar into a broader multi-sensor perception approach, ensuring redundancy alongside cameras and LiDAR in its self-driving platform. In contrast, smaller innovators such as Arbe Robotics, Motional, Uhnder, and Metawave appear with more compact IP portfolios, but their patents show a high degree of specialization. Arbe has been pushing high-resolution 4D imaging radar, Uhnder is pioneering digital MIMO radar chips, and Motional as a joint venture between Hyundai and Aptiv is building a radar patent portfolio that complements its robotaxi deployments.

Bubble graph showing the IP leadership of patent assignees in imaging radar.

Figure 1: IP leadership of sensing and ADAS specialists for core inventions related to imaging radar for autonomous systems (Top 30 IP players according to the number of core inventions).

This distribution demonstrates that sensing and ADAS specialists, although diverse in size and strategy, are collectively shaping the trajectory of imaging radar technologies. They are positioning themselves as platform leaders, aiming to define the perception stacks that will underpin autonomous driving. Their strategies suggest that future advantages will depend less on patent volume and more on the depth of their technologies, the quality of their innovations, and their ability to integrate these inventions at the system level. While Intel-Mobileye has become the most prominent advocate of a radar-first approach, not all companies follow this route. Many ADAS specialists are simultaneously advancing multiple perception technologies, combining radar with cameras, LiDAR, and AI-based sensor fusion to secure robustness and redundancy in their ADAS platforms. This broader perspective makes Intel-Mobileye’s leadership within this group particularly significant.

Intel-Mobileye’s Patent Landscape in Imaging Radar

Intel-Mobileye, headquartered in Santa Clara, USA (Intel) and Jerusalem, Israel (Mobileye), has built one of the most influential IP portfolios in imaging radar for autonomous systems. Since Intel’s acquisition of Mobileye in 2017, the company has combined semiconductor expertise with perception algorithms to accelerate its expansion into radar-based ADAS platforms. Our imaging radar IP report identified 48 core inventions within Intel-Mobileye’s patent portfolio, consolidated from more than 130 patent families and over 500 patent applications. Patent activity began to rise sharply after 2018 and peaked between 2020 and 2022, reflecting an intense phase of R&D investment that transformed radar from an exploratory technology into a strategic pillar of Mobileye’s roadmap.

Several graphs showing the patent siutation of Mobileye.

Figure 2: Overview of Intel-Mobileye’s IP portfolio related to imaging radar for autonomous systems

The geographical distribution of patents highlights Mobileye’s global ambitions. Most filings are concentrated in the United States, with Europe and China also representing key territories, securing protection in the world’s most important automotive markets. The patent portfolio is not only extensive but also highly influential, as evidenced by the number of external citations it has received. Companies such as General Motors, Amazon-Zoox, Aptiv, Infineon, Uhnder, and Huawei-Yinwang have cited Intel–Mobileye’s patents, which confirms their role in shaping the development strategies of both established automakers and radar innovators.

Recent corporate developments further confirm this trajectory. In 2025, Mobileye announced that it would terminate its in-house FMCW lidar program and instead fully commit to advancing its own 4D imaging radar, which it has been developing since 2018. This radar is based on a proprietary RFIC design and a dedicated radar processor capable of 11 TOPS, handling over 1,500 virtual channels at 20 frames per second. With angular resolution below 0.5°, a dynamic range of 100 dB, and detection distances up to 315 meters, Mobileye’s radar delivers unprecedented robustness in challenging environments such as tunnels, construction zones, or dense urban traffic. This technology decision not only reinforces its radar-first strategy but also aligns perfectly with the strength of its patent portfolio, which spans hardware design, digital beamforming, perception pipelines, and multi-sensor fusion.

Together, the patent and product strategies reveal a coherent vision: Intel-Mobileye is consolidating a radar-first perception stack that combines strong IP, advanced hardware innovation, and system-level integration. This approach positions the company at the forefront of ADAS platforms, where imaging radar is increasingly seen as a cost-effective, scalable, and reliable complement or alternative to LiDAR and cameras.

Representative Patents Underpinning Intel–Mobileye’s Strategy

Intel-Mobileye’s granted imaging radar patents reveal a cohesive strategy that spans from scalable radar hardware to advanced perception pipelines and robust system-level coordination. At the hardware level, the patent US12123937 introduces a compact transmitter architecture with digital-to-analog converters and analog beamforming, enabling cost-efficient integration of directional beams into automotive platforms. In parallel, US11747457 discloses a multi-static radar system composed of spatially distributed units across a vehicle, which work together to synthesize a larger aperture. This configuration significantly improves angular resolution and provides resilience against occlusions, reflecting Mobileye’s focus on radar as a system-level perception tool. Moving beyond hardware, US12265150 defines a radar tracking framework based on multi-target density functions, allowing the system to classify and update trajectories for different object types with improved stability. US12140696 extends the perception pipeline by generating synthetic radar scenes to train machine learning algorithms, improving adaptability across diverse driving conditions. Fusion patents such as US10690770 combine radar with optical flow from cameras to refine motion estimation in complex environments, while US12164053 introduces a radar resource management framework to ensure stable coexistence of multiple radars in dense traffic. Together, these patents show how Mobileye is aligning its intellectual property with a radar-first vision that integrates hardware design, AI-based perception, multimodal fusion, and large-scale deployment.

Pending patent applications further expand this vision into functional safety, configurability, and interference management. For example, the patent application US20250123358 embeds a functional safety detector directly into the radar processing pipeline to support ISO 26262 compliance and strengthen trust in radar for safety-critical decisions. The patent application WO2025/079034, filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), proposes a reconfigurable radar unit capable of switching between antenna modes optimized for either wide-area awareness or lane-level localization, a capability particularly relevant for highway autonomy. WO2024/209368 introduces methods to detect and suppress interference by analyzing 2D range–angle maps in real time, securing perception reliability even in radar-dense urban environments.

Altogether, these granted patents and pending patent applications demonstrate that Intel–Mobileye is not simply scaling radar to achieve higher resolution. Instead, the company is reinforcing the integrity, adaptability, and robustness of radar perception as a whole. This dual emphasis on technological fidelity and system reliability underscores its ambition to deliver a production-ready radar perception stack that can serve as the backbone of future autonomous driving platforms.

Abstract from Ingtel-Mobileye's patents.

Figure 3: Examples of Intel-Mobileye’s inventions related to imaging radar for autonomous systems

Discover More in the Full Report

To explore the broader information in greater depth, KnowMade’s Imaging Radar for Autonomous Systems – Patent Landscape Analysis 2025 provides in-depth profiles and portfolio benchmarking across all categories of assignees. The report covers both established leaders and fast-moving newcomers, offering insights into how innovation is distributed across the global landscape. Companies mentioned in the study include General Motors, Bosch, Toyota, Huawei – Yinwang, Sony, Denso, Intel – Mobileye, Aurora, Honda, Continental, Amazon – Zoox, Alphabet – Waymo, Volkswagen, Raytheon Technologies, ZF, Hyundai, Valeo, Ford, Magna, Aptiv, Mitsubishi, Baidu, Infineon, Samsung, Qualcomm, DJI Technology, Motional, LG, Mercedes-Benz, NXP, Boeing, Geely – Volvo Cars, Hitachi, HERE, Nvidia, Panasonic, BMW, Honeywell, FAW Group, Kia, Stellantis – PSA, Mando, Changan Automobile, Xaircraft (XAG), Subaru, Forvia – Hella, IBM, NEC, Pony.ai, Micron, BAE Systems, Geometrical-PAL, Metawave, Calterah Semiconductor, ICAN Technology, Kyocera, LIG Nex1, Texas Instruments, Desay SV, IAI – Israel Aerospace Industries, Nissan, Siemens, State Grid Corporation of China, Apple, Xiaomi Technology, Tata Motors, Weifu, Airbus, Cheng-Tech, Dongfeng Motor, Korean Agency for Defense Development, US Navy, BYD, Great Wall Motor, Autoroad Tech, Nidec, Renault, MBDA UK, Nuro, Arbe Robotics, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Volvo, Beta Technologies, CAIC – China Automotive Innovation Corporation, Five AI, Thales, Bitsensing, Daihen, Fuxia hangzhou intelligent science & technology, Hawkeye, NIO, Secom, Vivo, Wuxi Tongchun New Energy Technology, China Southern Power Grid, DiDi, Mazda, Seres, Tencent, Uhnder, Yupiteru, Alibaba, Deere, dSPACE Technologies, L3Harris Technologies, Lyft, Northrop Grumman, SAAB, Sick, State Farm Insurance, TuSimple, Veoneer, Voyah, Zadar Labs, Elwha LLC, GAC Group, iRobot, Jingdong Qianshi Technology, Keysight, Novasky Electronic, NTT Docomo, Symeo, Teledyne, Toshiba, Uber, Vayyar, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Hanwha, Kodiak Robotics, Koito Manufacturing, STMicroelectronics, US Army, WHST, Ambarella – Oculii, Bayer, Chery Automobile, Chuhang Technology, Eagle Sense Technology, Furukawa Electric, XPENG, Zendar, Alps Alpine, Zongmu, and more.

By providing a comprehensive view of patenting trends, competitive strategies, and core technologies, the report equips executives, R&D teams, and IP professionals with actionable intelligence to secure a competitive advantage in one of the most dynamic technology races of the decade. More information available here.


Press contact
contact@knowmade.fr
Le Drakkar, 2405 route des Dolines, 06560 Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, France
www.knowmade.com

About the author
Yanni Zhou, PhD., works at KnowMade in the field of RF Technologies for Wireless Communications, Sensing, and Imaging. She holds a Ph.D. in RF and Wireless Communication from the University of Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRIA, France, and an Engineer’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from INSA Lyon, France. Yanni previously worked at Nokia Bell Labs, Strategy & Technology, focusing on 5G/6G and RF front-end systems. She developed innovative RF solutions effectively integrated into communication and radar systems. Her work also includes designing advanced radar sensing and imaging systems for accurate detection in complex environments.
Nicolas Baron, PhD., CEO and co-founder of KnowMade. He manages the development and strategic orientations of the company and personally leads the Semiconductor department. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, and a Master of Intellectual Property Strategies and Innovation from the European Institute for Enterprise and Intellectual Property (IEEPI) in Strasbourg, France.

About KnowMade
KnowMade is a technology intelligence and IP strategy firm specializing in the analysis of patents and scientific publications. We assist innovative companies, investors, and research organizations in understanding the competitive landscape, anticipating technological trends, identifying opportunities and risks, improving their R&D, and shaping effective IP strategies.
KnowMade’s analysts combine their strong technology expertise and in-depth knowledge of patents with powerful analytics tools and methodologies to transform patent and scientific data into actionable insights to support decision-making in R&D, innovation, investment, and intellectual property.
KnowMade has solid expertise in Semiconductors and Packaging, Power Electronics, Batteries and Energy Management, RF and Wireless Communications, Photonics, MEMS, Sensing and Imaging, Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Agri-Food.

June 12, 2025

Mapping the Global Patent Landscape of 4D Imaging Radar in Autonomous Driving

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France – Juin 12, 2025 │ Autonomous driving is no longer just a matter of adding more sensors. It now demands systems that can truly interpret and respond to their environment. Imaging radar has emerged as one of the core technologies enabling this transition.

Unlike conventional millimeter-wave radar, imaging radar is not simply about better resolution. Its objective is to give radar the capability to perceive the world in a visual-like way. Using large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna arrays, advanced beamforming, and AI-driven signal processing, imaging radar generates dense point clouds that reveal object contours and environmental structure. It performs reliably in adverse weather, low-light conditions, and complex traffic scenarios. In some applications, it already serves as a cost-effective complement or alternative to LiDAR and camera.

Among the various technological directions within imaging radar, 4D imaging radar is currently among the fastest growing and commercialized. It simultaneously captures four essential parameters: distance, velocity, azimuth, and elevation. This allows radar to evolve from a simple detector into a system capable of spatial perception.

From Technical Evolution to IP Competition: A Focus on 4D Imaging Radar

In KnowMade’s upcoming report, “Imaging Radar for Autonomous Systems Patent Landscape 2025”, we have analyzed more than 10,000 patent families, including innovations in frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar, synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), AI-enhanced imaging, multi-sensor fusion, and more. The report provides a focused analysis of the intellectual property (IP) landscape, highlighting competition, technology trends, and strategic risks and opportunities across primarily land-based automotive perception applications, while also covering aerospace, maritime, and defense domains.

This insight article focuses on one strategic segment of that patent landscape: 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving. We have reviewed more than 1,100 patent families and identified over 600 core inventions that form the foundation of this technology. These patents reflect ongoing innovations in signal processing, chip design, antenna integration, and system-level implementation.

As illustrated in Figure 1, patent activity in 4D imaging radar has grown significantly over the past decade. Before 2015, patent publications were scarce and resulted from exploratory technology developments. A clear inflection point occurred around 2018, driven by progress in FMCW and MIMO technologies, along with AI-based signal enhancement. These developments helped transition 4D imaging radar from proof-of-concept to scalable integration. Since 2020, the field has entered a phase of commercial momentum. Companies such as Arbe Robotics, Uhnder, Continental, Aptiv, Ambarella, and Vayyar have accelerated their R&D and filed patent applications extensively.

Graph showing year by year the number of patent publications related to 4D imaging radar for autonomous vehicle.

Figure 1: Time evolution of patent publications related to 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving until May 2025.

By 2024, the total number of patent families had climbed to 1,056, nearly a sixfold increase since 2019.

This upward trend reflects two key dynamics:

  1. A shift from technical feasibility to system-level performance. Many patents focus on beamforming precision, angular resolution, integration efficiency, and multi-sensor fusion.
  2. A growing use of patents as strategic tools. With more than 600 core patent families already published, early movers are shaping a competitive IP landscape that presents significant barriers to new entrants.

Who Controls the Core IP of 4D Imaging Radar?

The global competition over 4D imaging radar patents has evolved from early-stage technological exploration to a phase of strategic deployment. As shown in Figure 2, the leading patent holders are concentrated in five key regions: North America, China, Europe, Israel, and South Korea.

The ranking of patent assignees based on the number of alive patent families reveals:

  • Valeo (France) ranks first with over 30 active patent families, reflecting its early investment in system-level integration as a Tier 1 supplier.
  • Chinese applicants are rapidly gaining ground, with companies such as G-PAL (Geometry Partner), Changan Automobile, Weifu, and Cheng-Tech showing high patenting activity.
  • Israeli (Arbe, Vayyar), American (Metawave, Intel, Uhnder), and South-Korean (Bitsensing, Samsung) companies are also emerging as key patent owners.

The chart distinguishes between granted patents (green) and pending patent applications (blue), highlighting that while some startups may not lead in volume, they demonstrate strong innovation and rapid patent filing momentum.

Bar chart showing the ranking of patent assignees related to 4D imaging radar for autonomous vehicle.

Figure 2: Ranking of patent assignees according to the number of their patent families (inventions) related to 4D imaging radar for automotive applications, classified by granted and pending status.
A patent family is a set of patent applications filed in various countries in relation to a single invention.

Figure 3 classifies the key players by company type, revealing four dominant categories in the imaging radar ecosystem:

  • Automotive Manufacturers (e.g., Changan, Mercedes-Benz, SAIC, GM, Geely)
    • Typically engage in imaging radar through partnerships or in-house integration.
    • Their patents often target system architecture and driving decision layers.
  • Tier 1 Suppliers (e.g., Valeo, Magna, Continental, Bosch, ZF, Forvia, Desay SV)
    • Focus on integrated sensing platforms, sensor fusion, and mass production readiness.
    • Commonly collaborate with chip and ADAS platform providers (e.g., Valeo + Mobileye).
  • Tech & Semiconductor Companies (e.g., Intel, Qualcomm, TI, Samsung)
    • Develop radar computing platforms, with patents centered on SoC design, AI-based processing, and power optimization.
    • Typically act as enabling layers in the ADAS supply chain.
  • Radar-Focused & ADAS Startups (e.g., Arbe, Uhnder, Metawave, Bitsensing, G-PAL)
    • “Tech-native” players, often offering full-stack radar systems.
    • Focus areas include high-density MIMO, AI point cloud processing, and real-time object tracking.
    • These companies have high patent density, strong innovation concentration, and rapid commercial progress.
Display of main patent assignees for 4D radar for autonomous driving.

Figure 3 : Classification of patent assignees by organization type in the 4D imaging radar patent landscape for autonomous driving.

Strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and commercial agreements are increasingly shaping the IP landscape. Notable examples include:

  • Intel acquired Mobileye in 2017, integrating EyeQ chips with perception algorithms into an end-to-end ADAS platform.
  • Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is developing integrated sensor and compute systems for autonomous driving.
  • G-PAL (Geometry Partner), exclusively funded by Bosch’s venture platform Boyuan Capital, offers L2–L4 machine-perception-driven software-hardware integrated systems.
  • Arbe Robotics secured a multimillion-dollar order from Chinese Tier 1 supplier Weifu, accelerating commercial deployment.
  • Valeo, Volkswagen and Mobileye launched the partnership to enhance ADAS functionality.

These collaborations often lead to joint patent filings, co-inventorships, and platform co-developments, creating a compounded IP advantage and forming hidden entry barriers for new players.

Figure 4 highlights the positioning of key patent assignees across 600+ core patent families, categorized into seven types of organizations. Several notable patterns emerge:

  • G-PAL, founded in 2018, leads in total core patents related to 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving. Its patents focus on adverse weather point cloud processing and multi-modal perception system integration.
  • Valeo appears in the lower-right quadrant, suggesting that the company is currently in an active expansion phase, focusing on forward-looking innovation.
  • Arbe Robotics holds the most granted patents in this space, underscoring its leadership in patent quality and early market readiness.
  • Intel, thanks to Mobileye’s patents acquisition, has entered the top tier of 4D imaging radar patent owners.
  • Uhnder and Metawave show IP strength in chip integration and product-grade radar solutions.
  • Samsung and Qualcomm, while less concentrated in this specific niche, exert long-tail influence through platform standardization and sensor integration support.
Bubble graph showing the IP leadership of patent assignees in 4D imaging radar.

Figure 4 : IP leadership of patent assignees in 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving based on 600+ core patent families identified.

Competition in 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving now extends far beyond the sensor itself. It encompasses chip architecture, system integration, algorithm leadership, and platform compatibility. In this rapidly evolving domain, leadership will not belong solely to the fastest innovators, but to those who master the interplay between patent strategy, technology convergence, and ecosystem control.

Global Distribution of 4D Imaging Radar Patents

As shown in Figure 5, the global patent filing distribution for 4D imaging radar demonstrates a clear concentration in specific territories, reflecting applicants’ market prioritization and protection strategies.

China leads as the top filing country, accounting for nearly 30% of all patent applications. This highlights the country’s importance as both a manufacturing and deployment market for autonomous driving. While many patent filings originate from local players such as G-PAL, Changan, and Cheng-Tech, foreign companies are also actively seeking protection in China due to its growing relevance.

The United States and Europe follow closely in filing volume, indicating their continued strategic importance in global IP portfolios, especially for technologies involving radar-chip integration and system-level design. Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also maintain a steady interest for patent applicants.

A significant share of patents, over 12%, are filed via the PCT route, indicating strong global IP strategy ambitions from both traditional suppliers and emerging radar startups.

From a legal status perspective, nearly 46% of patent applications are still pending, indicating that the field remains highly dynamic in terms of R&D. The relatively high grant rate (36%) suggests that foundational technologies have reached a level of maturity suitable for commercial deployment, while the large number of applications still under examination reflects continued innovation.

Map showing the geographical distribution of 4D imaging radar.

Figure 5: Filing countries of patent applications related to 4D imaging radar for autonomous driving, and their current legal status.

4D imaging radar has evolved from a niche concept into a critical component of next-generation automotive sensing. The analysis of patents filed by key players in the field shows that the technology is advancing on multiple fronts: hardware integration, signal processing, software-defined architecture, and AI-enhanced perception.

Patent activity across more than 2,500 patent assets grouped in over 1,100 patent families reveals not only rapid innovation but also intensifying global competition. From G-PAL’s rise in China to Arbe’s dominance in enforceable core patents, from Valeo’s system-level consistency to Intel’s Mobileye-powered ecosystem, it is clear that the battle for IP leadership is already reshaping the 4D imaging radar competitive landscape.

Yet success in this field won’t be determined by patent volume alone. It will depend on patent strength and quality, how effectively companies align their IP strategies with deployment realities, cross-sector collaboration, and imaging radar ecosystem influence over the long term.

 

🧭 Looking Ahead

For a deeper and more complete view of this emerging sector, including company-level intelligence, technology segmentation, and territorial filing strategies, we invite you to explore our upcoming report:

📘 Imaging Radar for Autonomous Systems Patent Landscape 2025

The report covers more than 10,000 patent families, with insights into key technology domains, sensor fusion, and application-specific innovations across ground vehicles, aerial platforms, robotics, and defense. It offers actionable intelligence for R&D, legal, and business development teams seeking to navigate and lead in the next wave of automotive perception.

For more information about the report, or to explore other sensing and imaging technologies, feel free to contact us.


Press contact
contact@knowmade.fr
Le Drakkar, 2405 route des Dolines, 06560 Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, France
www.knowmade.com

About the author
Yanni ZHOU, PhD., works at KnowMade in the field of RF Technologies for Wireless Communications, Sensing, and Imaging. She holds a Ph.D. in RF and Wireless Communication from the University of Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRIA, France, and an Engineer’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from INSA Lyon, France. Yanni previously worked at Nokia Bell Labs, Strategy & Technology, focusing on 5G/6G and RF front-end systems. She developed innovative RF solutions effectively integrated into communication and radar systems. Her work also includes designing advanced radar sensing and imaging systems for accurate detection in complex environments.

About KnowMade
KnowMade is a technology intelligence and IP strategy consulting company specialized in analyzing patents and scientific publications. The company helps innovative companies, investors, and R&D organizations to understand the competitive landscape, follow technological evolutions, reduce uncertainties, and identify opportunities and risks in terms of technology and intellectual property.
KnowMade’s analysts combine their strong technology expertise and in-depth knowledge of patents with powerful analytics tools and methodologies to turn patent information and scientific literature into actionable insights, providing high added value reports for decision makers working in R&D, innovation strategy, intellectual property, and marketing. Our experts provide prior art search, patent landscape analysis, freedom-to-operate analysis, IP due diligence, and monitoring services.
KnowMade has a solid expertise in Compound Semiconductors, Power Electronics, Batteries, RF Technologies & Wireless Communications, Solid-State Lighting & Display, Photonics, Memories, MEMS & Sensors, Semiconductor Packaging, Medical Devices, Medical Imaging, Microfluidics, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutics, and Agri-Food.