Robots, Drones, and Physical AI: How to Invest in LiDAR’s Second Act

For years, the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) investment story revolved around one idea: autonomous vehicles (AVs). Capital poured into the space through special purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs) and early-stage listings, all tied to the long-dated promise of self-driving cars.

But the market has shifted – quietly at first, as it often does, and then all at once. Today, LiDAR is evolving into the core perception layer for robotics, drones, and physical AI systems, expanding far beyond automotive and creating a broader, more immediate set of investment opportunities in publicly traded markets.