Chinese lidar maker Hesai has appealed a U.S. ruling that upheld its designation as a company aiding Beijing’s military, according to a court filing.

Chinese lidar maker Hesai has appealed a U.S. ruling that upheld its designation as a company aiding Beijing’s military, according to a court filing.

Chinese lidar maker Hesai Group has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals to contest a ruling by the U.S. District Court that upheld its designation as a company aiding Beijing’s military. The ruling, based on the company's geographic R&D locations and speculative military applications of lidar technology, has been met with disappointment by Hesai’s CEO, Yifan “David” Li [1].

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the designation by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This designation was based on two factors: the geographic location of Hesai’s R&D centers and the theoretical potential that technologies such as lidar could have military applications [1].

Hesai Group has maintained that its products are strictly for civilian and commercial use, and that there is no evidence linking its products to military use or any connection to the Chinese military. The company has expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that it lacks factual and legal foundations [1].

The company's appeal comes as it continues to deliver advanced lidar solutions globally and emphasizes its focus on civilian applications. Despite the ruling, Hesai maintains a strong presence in the lidar market with a wide range of applications and a diverse global customer base [1].

The appeal by Hesai Group highlights its commitment to defending its reputation and legal rights. The company is actively challenging a court ruling, which may enhance its credibility and investor confidence [1].

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/hesai-group-files-appeal-against-dod-designation-upholding-national-defense-authorization