The Year of the Horse is known for speed and breakthroughs — themes that are already resonating for Robosense Technology Co. Ltd. (2498.HK), a maker of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology used in autonomous driving and a growing number of other applications. The company rang in the Lunar New Year by crossing the finish line in its steeplechase toward profitability, as its sales soared in 2025.
On Feb. 19, the third day of the Lunar New Year, Robosense delighted investors by announcing its net loss for 2025 would narrow by more than half to 180 million yuan ($26 million) or less, from 482 million yuan in 2024. Even more encouraging, it reported logging its first-ever quarterly profit of 60 million yuan or higher in the final three months of the year. The company’s shares surged the next day as shareholders celebrated the milestone after a decade of losses.
Robosense isn’t the first to achieve profitability in a LiDAR sector where many companies continue to bleed cash. Competitor Hesai (HSAI.US; 2525.HK) beat it to the finish line by achieving its first full-year profit in 2024. Hesai went on to record a record quarterly profit of 256 million yuan in the third quarter of 2025, achieving its annual profit target one quarter early. But another rival, the recently listed Seyond (2665.HK), is still in the red.