ECARX and TPK have signed a binding memorandum of business co-operation to co-develop a LiDAR sensor technology.
The two companies will develop the ORCA LiDAR platform, a proprietary system built to comply with global regulatory and functional safety standards.
The alliance marks the Chinese automotive technology provider ECARX’s entry into the LiDAR market.
TPK, an electronics manufacturing company, will host mass production at its facility in Thailand, with volume output scheduled to commence in 2028.
The partnership combines ECARX’s work in system integration, sensor fusion and global commercialisation, including its established relationships with international vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and robotaxi operators.
It also incorporates TPK’s optical design, engineering and high-volume manufacturing of precision components.
The ORCA platform is designed to deliver hardware–software coordination, low-latency perception and reliable performance for next-generation ADAS and AI-enabled autonomous driving systems.
It is intended for global mass-market deployment across premium passenger vehicles and autonomous mobility services for OEMs and robotaxi fleets.
ECARX founder and CEO Ziyu Shen said: “This new LiDAR platform combines our system integration prowess with TPK's world-class optical engineering and manufacturing strength.
“By building proprietary LiDAR technology in-house, we can enhance our end-to-end perception capabilities and deliver more competitive, reliable solutions to global OEMs and Robotaxi partners worldwide.”
The announcement follows a series of recent developments for ECARX.
Earlier this year, the company signed a subscription agreement with Geely Holding for a $45.6m strategic investment, under which Geely will acquire approximately 27.29 million newly issued Class A ordinary shares at $1.67 per share through a private placement.
In October last year, ECARX also entered into a partnership agreement with electronics components manufacturer Victory Giant Technology Company to expand its high-performance computing platform capabilities for next-generation vehicles.
