Breaking news

Mercedes Integrates Chinese Lidar Technology In Smart Cars For Global Markets

In a groundbreaking move, Mercedes-Benz is set to revolutionize global automotive markets with smart vehicles equipped with lidar sensors from the Chinese firm Hesai. This partnership marks a milestone as it’s the first instance of a foreign car manufacturer adopting Chinese lidar technology for models outside China.

Key Insights Into The Partnership

  • This collaboration occurs amid escalating trade tensions, particularly involving the U.S., which seeks to limit Chinese components in globally developed automobiles.
  • As German automakers face cost crises over the past year, the adoption of Hesai’s technology may enhance competitiveness, offering a cost-effective yet scalable solution.
  • Hesai, as the preeminent lidar sensor manufacturer in China, has experienced a significant 36.6% rise in shares following this announcement. The company’s anticipated revenue for 2025 is between 3 and 3.5 billion yuan ($415-484 million).

Understanding Lidar Technology

Lidar effectively uses laser technology to generate 3D representations of a vehicle’s surroundings, significantly aiding autonomous vehicle navigation. Key industry players are leveraging such innovations in an effort to maximize safety and performance.

Hesai’s expansion plans include enhancing production capacity in China and establishing international manufacturing lines to better cater to overseas demands.

Cyprus Construction Trends: Permit Count Slips While Value and Scale Surge in 2025

The Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) has reported a notable shift in the construction landscape for 2025. The latest figures reveal a modest 1.9% decline in building permits issued in March compared to the same month last year, signaling a nuanced trend in the nation’s developmental activities.

Permit Count Decline in March

In March 2025, authorities authorised 572 building permits—down from 583 in March 2024. The permits, which total a value of €361.5 million and cover 296,900 square metres of construction, underscore a cautious pace in permit approval despite ongoing projects. Notably, these permits are set to facilitate the construction of 1,480 dwelling units, reflecting an underlying demand in the housing sector.

Q1 2025: Growth in Value, Construction Area, and Dwelling Units

While the number of permits in the first quarter (January to March) decreased by 15.8% from 1,876 to 1,580, more significant, economically relevant metrics saw robust growth. Total permit value surged by 21.7%, and the authorised construction area expanded by 15.6%. Additionally, the number of prospective dwelling units increased by 16.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. This divergence suggests that although fewer permits were issued, the scale and ambition of the approved projects have intensified.

New Regulatory Framework and the Ippodamos System

Since 1 July 2024, a pivotal transition has taken place in permit administration. The responsibility for issuing permits has moved from municipalities and district administration offices to the newly established local government organisations (EOAs). The integrated information system, Ippodamos, now oversees the licensing process, streamlining data collection on both residential and non-residential projects across urban and rural areas.

Comprehensive Data Collection for Enhanced Oversight

The Ippodamos system categorises construction projects using the EU Classification of Types of Construction (CC). This platform gathers extensive data on the number of permits authorised, project area and value, and the expected number of dwelling units. It covers a broad spectrum of construction activities—from new builds and civil engineering projects to plot divisions and road construction—while excluding renewals and building divisions. The thoroughness of this new regulatory structure promises greater operational transparency and more informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders.

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