DJI may set up an engineering team to develop lidar and autonomous driving technology

Shenzhen-based Chinese drone maker DJI is hiring automotive electronics engineers, autonomous driving engineers and in-vehicle software engineers, according to job postings on its website.

Three people familiar with the matter said DJI plans to sell key components of autonomous vehicle driver assistance technology, such as lidar sensors, as well as packaged solutions for autonomous driving functions. DJI said it has no new information to announce at this time.

DJI has been developing lidar and camera technology for years, the two people added.

Livox, a startup with ties to DJI, demonstrated two lidar sensors for self-driving cars at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Chinese electric car maker Xpeng said it would use Livox’s lidar for its self-driving features.

DJI's move comes as a number of hardware and software technology companies are trying to enter the future of self-driving cars.

DJI has been developing lidar and camera technologies for many years, and the company is planning to sell key components of autonomous driving assistance technology, such as lidar sensors, as well as packaged solutions for autonomous driving functions. Half a month ago, Livox, a company incubated by DJI, reached a cooperation with Xiaopeng Motors to use its customized Xiaopeng automotive-grade lidar on the new mass-produced models to be launched in 2021. Livox also officially became Xiaopeng Motors' first partner in the lidar field.

DJI is the global leader in the small drone market, with a 69% global share, which research firm Frost & Sullivan estimates was worth about $8.4 billion last year.

DJI responded that the company has not set up a new engineering team recently. DJI has always focused on R&D innovation, including the development of cutting-edge technology applications in the automotive field, and these efforts have been ongoing for many years.