AEye Inc (NASDAQ: LIDR) is a lidar technology company that designs and sells adaptive intelligent lidar sensors and software platforms for automotive and non-automotive applications. Revenue comes from two primary streams: product sales to non-automotive customers and development contracts with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, as disclosed in the FY2025 10-K filed March 18, 2026. Non-automotive engagements typically carry higher average selling prices due to lower volume sensitivity and greater customer willingness to pay for performance differentiation. The company reported a net loss of $33,958 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2025, and net cash used in operating activities of $27,777 thousand for the same period. AEye competes in an emerging lidar market against numerous companies worldwide using a range of technical approaches, including both 1550 nm and 905 nm laser architectures.

Revenue model

Product sales to non-automotive customers and development contracts with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Non-automotive deployments command premium pricing through customized software configuration. Proof-of-concept and evaluation programs serve as the entry point, with potential evolution into higher-volume commercial contracts (FY2025 10-K).

Products and services

Apollo long-range lidar sensor with software-defined architecture allowing scan pattern, frame rate, and region-of-interest configuration without separate hardware variants. STRATOS platform extending range and resolution on the same underlying architecture. OPTIS platform for collaboration with system integrators and solution providers to deliver application-specific functionality.

Customers and end markets

Automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for ADAS and autonomous driving applications. Non-automotive customers across markets requiring specialized sensing, including applications with shorter sales cycles than automotive. Customers in non-automotive sectors have funded development initiatives for new features.

Value-chain role

Hardware sensor manufacturer and software platform provider sitting between component suppliers and automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and system integrators. Partners with system integrators via the OPTIS platform to deliver application-specific sensing solutions.

Geographic exposure

Operations exposed to North America, Europe, and other key automotive production markets. Subject to GDPR in the European Union, RoHS, WEEE, and European Ecodesign Directive. U.S. technology transfer restrictions and international trade regulations also apply (FY2025 10-K).

Competitors

Unnamed companies using 1550 nm laser architectures, Unnamed companies using 905 nm laser architectures

Source: SEC 10-K, filed 2026-03-18

Industry: Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Peers: Cepton, Inc. Ouster Inc Darkpulse Inc Evolv Technologies Holdings Inc Focus Universal Inc Velodyne Lidar, Inc. Identiv Inc ITERIS, INC. Keysight Technologies Inc LUNA INNOVATIONS INC