VekoNet Robot Interview | How Does EAI Technology Garner Market Favor for Its Robotic Sensors, Robotic Lidar, and Interactive Multimedia Lidar?

In the era of the 'Lazy Economy,' intelligent household cleaning robots have witnessed continuous development. According to data, in 2021, the Chinese household cleaning robot market surpassed 10 billion RMB, reaching 10.8 billion RMB, marking a year-on-year growth of 22.2%. Meanwhile, the global household cleaning robot market reached a scale of 5.3 billion USD, with an 18% year-on-year growth. Achieving such results amidst the global consumption slump caused by the pandemic is truly remarkable.

The key to the recognition of household cleaning robots lies in the advancement of technologies such as recognition and perception. This progress relies heavily on the continuous iteration and enhancement of various intelligent sensors. It is through these efforts that household cleaning robots have gradually shed the label of being "simple-minded" and have truly become "smart" assistants to humans.

Currently, in the design of sensing and positioning technology for household cleaning robots, lidar is an indispensable component. Compared to other obstacle avoidance methods, lidar offers higher recognition accuracy, faster feedback, and real-time monitoring of the surrounding environment. Through algorithmic analysis and processing of data, it constructs more precise path planning.

Focusing on the consumer and commercial-grade intelligent sensor track, Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as EAI Technology) has emerged as both a driver and beneficiary of the industry's rapid development. In 2021, EAI Technology achieved a breakthrough in intelligent sensor shipments, exceeding 2 million units, marking a 100% increase compared to the same period last year, once again setting a record for consumer-grade lidar production and sales in China.

Technology-Driven, Precision Empowerment

According to Wang Pin, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd., for household cleaning robots to enter millions of households, they must not only be practical in performance but also affordable in cost, making them accessible to the general public. Therefore, Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. has been committed to creating intelligent sensors with the ultimate balance of quality and performance, providing exceptional cost-effectiveness.

In the field of intelligent sensors, lidar is a precision sensor that integrates optics, mechanics, and electronics. It contains hundreds of sub-components. To create high-quality, high-performance intelligent sensors, optimization must begin at the lowest level, such as integrating functions like lasers and detectors into chips. Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. takes a unique approach with "self-developed chips + algorithm optimization," moving products towards integration and miniaturization through iterative upgrades, effectively solving this significant challenge.

Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. adheres to a technology-driven philosophy and has always emphasized research and development innovation in its products. On one hand, it has built a fully independent research and development system with "self-developed key core technologies + algorithm optimization" as the dual wings, maintaining the independence and continuity of core technology. Currently, it possesses over 120 patents related to intelligent sensors and robotics. On the other hand, Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. places a high emphasis on quality management systems. It has obtained certification through the 'Smart Factory Quality Management System ISO 9001' and the 'Environmental Management System ISO 14001,' and has established a 'Data Center Management System.' This system enables precise control of the entire production process and seamless information exchange, providing effective management and support for quality inspection and traceability of raw materials. Supported by robust data intelligence capabilities, it ensures strict guarantees for production processes, quality control, and final product delivery.

Today, Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. has served more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, including Europe, the Americas, Japan, and South Korea, as well as over 1,000 enterprises, institutions, and universities. It has formed high-quality partnerships with well-known domestic and international brands such as Yunjing, Midea, Samsung, Panasonic, and KUKA. With its efficient product iteration capabilities, diverse product matrix layout, and the advantages of performance and cost-effectiveness, Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. has gained high recognition in the industry.

Diverse Products to Meet Varied Needs

Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd. has been deeply involved in the intelligent sensor industry for over six years and has been recognized as a national high-tech enterprise and a Guangdong province specialized and innovative enterprise. It has built a diverse portfolio of intelligent sensor products and sustainable, customized solutions. This has led to the large-scale adoption of various intelligent sensor types to meet the diverse needs of different scenarios.

Lidar, as a scanning sensor that uses non-contact laser ranging technology, generates a planar point cloud map of the scanning environment by performing laser scans within the application scenario. This enables intelligent mobile devices to achieve navigation and obstacle avoidance functionalities. Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd., through dedicated research and development efforts, has pioneered the large-scale production of different types of lidar products, including consumer and commercial grades.

During a recent discussion, Wang Pin, the founder of Shenzhen EAI Technology Co., Ltd., introduced an upcoming product: the ToF (Time-of-Flight) lidar T-mini Pro. This product boasts a measurement range of 12 meters, a 360-degree omnidirectional scanning capability, and a high-speed ranging frequency of 4,000 Hz."

EAI Technology T-mini Pro Conceptual Diagram

After years of product technology iterations, EAI Technology's Lidar performance remains stable. In addition to effectively handling various complex environments such as drops, motion, and temperature variations, it can be customized for different types of robots in terms of range, frame rate, resolution, precision, and other performance parameters. This enhances the adaptability and flexibility of robots, meeting the demands of a wider range of applications.

In nowadays, under its independent brand "YDLIDAR," EAI Technology offers a wide range of lidar products, including triangulation, Time-of-Flight (ToF) and ultrasonic ranging sensors. These products find extensive applications in areas such as household cleaning robot lidars, robot sensors, multimedia interactive lidars, and industrial automation, covering various vertical segments like smart cities, government services, homes, offices, factories, exhibitions, and more.

Integrated Research, Development, and Sales, Shaping the Future

When discussing future developments, Wang Pin, the founder of EAI Technology, stated that in the coming years, as technology advances and markets mature, industries like household cleaning robots and commercial service robots will continue to grow. Consequently, the demand for intelligent sensors is expected to expand further. To meet this demand, EAI Technology is deepening its future plans with an integrated approach encompassing research, development, and sales.

At the beginning of 2022, EAI Technology established a research institute in Wuhan. "Wuhan·China Optics Valley" is a national optoelectronic industry base, housing 42 higher education institutions and 56 national and provincial-level research institutes. It is also home to the largest domestic optoelectronic device production base, the largest optical communication technology research and development base, and the largest laser industry base. Optoelectronic devices and laser products from this region command a market share of 40% domestically. In the future, EAI Technology is also planning to establish a research institute in Xi'an.

EAI Technology Wuhan Research Institute Inauguration Ceremony

According to the information provided, the EAI Technology Wuhan and Xi'an Research Institutes are vital components of EAI Technology's 2025 Laboratory. In the future, these institutes will primarily focus on product pre-research and the integration of new intelligent sensor technologies. Leveraging the strong cluster effects and research capabilities in optics and electronics industries in Wuhan's China Optics Valley and Xi'an, they aim to elevate EAI Technology's overall research and development capabilities, particularly in the field of industrial sensors.

Apart from strategic research and development initiatives, EAI Technology is actively investing in the implementation of automated production equipment to establish robust manufacturing capabilities. This effort aims to enhance production efficiency and strengthen supply chain collaboration to ensure the high standards and stability of batch deliveries. Currently, its smart factory in Dongguan has an annual production capacity of up to 5 million units.

With Shenzhen serving as the central hub, EAI Technology is strategically designing top-level layouts for research, development, sales, and management. They are using the smart factory as a cornerstone for industrial manufacturing support. The Wuhan and Xi'an research institutes are envisioned as wings to empower the influx of research talent, forming a comprehensive development pattern for EAI Technology's integrated research, development, and sales strategy.

Founder Wang Pin of EAI Technology has expressed the company's commitment to increasing research and development investment in the future. They aim to make steady progress in the field of intelligent sensors, uphold values of pragmatism, excellence, altruism, and win-win cooperation, and be market-oriented. EAI Technology intends to work closely with partners throughout the industrial chain, leverage their deep expertise in the fusion perception field, participate in the implementation of artificial intelligence projects, and contribute to the construction of the industrial chain ecosystem. Their goal is to continually expand the scope and depth of intelligent sensor applications in the field of artificial intelligence, offering high-precision perception and cost-effective solutions through large-scale production, while infusing the artificial intelligence industry ecosystem with vitality, foresight, and innovation.