China’s Growing Dominance in LiDAR Technology Might Threaten US National Security, Lawmakers Warn

‘LiDAR is a critical technology used in autonomous systems and robotics but is currently not subject to U.S. export controls.’

Data from LiDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS units are seen inside a car equipped with using PolySync autonomy system development for creating and deploying driverless vehicles being demonstrated during the four-day auto trade show AutoMobility LA at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2016. David McNew/Getty Images

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is requesting that the Biden administration investigate all Chinese light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology companies over national security concerns.

“LiDAR is a critical technology used in autonomous systems and robotics but is currently not subject to U.S. export controls or government procurement restrictions,” the 20 lawmakers wrote in a Nov. 28 letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.