INTERVIEW  Elad Hofstetter, CBO, Innoviz Technologies

“I heard that Volkswagen ADMT replaced another LiDAR with Innoviz's. What was the reason? Compared to major competitors like Velodyne, Luminar, and Hesai, what are Innoviz’s strengths? What does your partnership with Mobileye mean?”
As robotaxis return to the spotlight and the race toward Level 3 autonomy accelerates, AEM posed these questions to Elad Hofstetter, Chief Business Officer of Innoviz Technologies.

written by Sang Min Han  

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Although Innoviz Technologies is already well known, could you provide a brief introduction to the company?      
Hofstetter        Innoviz Technologies is a Tier-1 supplier of LiDAR sensors and perception software, driving the automotive industry towards a safe and dynamic autonomous future. Innoviz’s cutting-edge solutions deliver high-performance, cost-effective LiDAR technology designed to meet the rigorous demands of automotive-grade applications. As a Tier 1 supplier, Innoviz works directly with major automakers and technology partners to enable autonomous capabilities (including Levels 3 and 4), ensuring vehicles can perceive and navigate the road with unprecedented precision.


Innoviz has been working with BMW and Volkswagen. Who are your key customers and partners globally? Are you currently working with any Korean automakers or suppliers?
Hofstetter        Innoviz’s key customers and partners include some of the world’s most forward-thinking automakers and mobility companies. BMW’s launch of its Level 3 autonomous system in Germany, powered by Innoviz, is a pivotal moment for the entire industry - marking a significant shift toward greater adoption of autonomy in passenger vehicles.
Volkswagen has also partnered with Innoviz. The two companies are working on a number of programs, including ADMT’s Level 4 ID. Buzz for commercial use, in addition to Level 3 platforms for different models of the Volkswagen group.

Additionally, Innoviz’s strategic partnership with Mobileye is a major milestone, as the company becomes the LiDAR provider for Mobileye’s Drive platform customers including VW Commercial Vehicles, Schaeffler / VDL, Holon, and Verne. This also means that moving forward every automaker adopting Mobileye’s Drive platform will be integrating Innoviz’s LiDAR into their autonomous stack.
In Korea, our suppliers include Alien Technology Asia Corp and SpringCloud. 


Innoviz is in an excellent position to forecast the future of autonomous driving. How do you see the market for Level 2+ vs. Level 3 and Level 4+ evolving? Do you see significant differences across regions?
Hofstetter        There’s a fundamental shift happening in the industry from Level 2+ to Level 3 autonomy, and it’s all about liability and capabilities. From a technology perspective, L2+ adds more advanced features that allow the vehicle to make more complex decisions than traditional L2. Furthermore, at Level 2+, the responsibility remains with the driver, meaning they must remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment and if there are any issues, they are ultimately the ones who are liable, not the system. Level 3 is a significant leap and at the most basic overview, the vehicle is capable of fully handling driving tasks and will only prompt the driver to take over if needed - which requires more robust technology and redundancies. 

Innoviz believes Level 3 is likely to become more prominent in the coming years and reach a tipping point that allows it to be more commercially viable for vehicles of all types, while Level 4 will see more incremental progress. 
From a regional perspective, the United States and China are dominating their respective domains, especially when it comes to Level 4 where the US is leading the pack. Europe is interesting because they have funding and have been early to invest in new technology, and because European companies such as BMW and Mercedes are the ONLY OEMs to have launched L3 on the roads in Germany.


Should we analyze Level 2+, Level 3, and Level 4 markets separately? Should we differentiate between the passenger vehicle market and the robotaxi market? Will the rapid expansion of the robotaxi market have a significant impact on the passenger vehicle market?
Hofstetter        Yes, each level of autonomy operates under different market dynamics. Level 2+ is widely accessible today and will continue to dominate the market for the near future.

Level 3 is the next major breakthrough, but adoption is slower because the technology must be extremely robust before automakers can take on liability. Additionally, L3 functions are usually premium features, meaning only a subset of consumers will initially adopt them.

Level 4 robotaxis are a different story because they demand a higher level of reliability, environmental awareness, and redundancies. Also, they are inherently a different beast given their baseline level of autonomy is at L4. These fleets must operate in complex urban environments, with a larger amount of passengers, requiring LiDAR, cameras, radar, and AI-driven software to work together seamlessly. Over time, as the technology matures, advancements in L4 will advance in tandem with private passenger vehicles.


InnovizTwo Long Range LiDAR


InnovizTwo Mid-Range LiDAR



As far as I know, Innoviz offers three main products. Could you briefly introduce them? What are the latest updates and innovations?
Hofstetter        InnovizOne, the first generation of the Innoviz LiDAR, is an automotive-grade sensor purpose-built to be rugged, affordable, reliable, low-power, lightweight, high-performing, and seamlessly integrable into Level 3-4 autonomous vehicles
InnovizTwo, including Mid-Range, Long-Range, and InnovizTwo Slim LiDARs, is designed to cater to the unique needs and specifications of OEMs, including consumer vehicles, robotaxis, shuttles, and trucks, and can support several levels of autonomy, fusing proprietary hardware and software and delivering a solution that provides unparalleled autonomous capabilities, even in the harshest of weather conditions, for a safe, advanced, and dynamic driving experience.

Innoviz’s Perception Software leverages proprietary state-of-the-art AI algorithms and works in tandem with Innoviz’s LiDAR to provide object detection and tracking, classification, collision classification, lane marking, road boundaries, calibration, range estimation, and blockage classification. 
A key innovation Innoviz is bringing to market is its Blockage Solution, which enhances resilience against environmental obstructions like dirt, dust, mud, or insects, something that is a game-changer for reliability in real-world autonomous operations.



InnovizTwo Slim



Recently, we often hear terms like "software-defined LiDAR" or "software-defined radar." How does Innoviz approach this trend?
Hofstetter        Innoviz is at the forefront of software-configurable LiDAR, allowing OEMs to tailor key performance parameters to meet their specific application needs. Innoviz LiDAR can be software-configured to adjust frame rate, resolution, field of view (FOV), range, and more, depending on the use case, mounting location, or vehicle architecture.

This flexibility is a significant advantage for automakers, enabling them to optimize performance for different vehicle models, driving conditions, and autonomy levels without requiring hardware modifications. Whether for passenger vehicles, commercial fleets, or robotaxis, Innoviz's ability to offer software-defined features ensures that its LiDAR solutions can adapt to the evolving needs of the automotive industry.


How does LiDAR compare to camera-based systems? How do you convince potential customers of LiDAR's necessity?
Hofstetter        While cameras are useful, they struggle in low-light conditions, glare, or adverse weather. LiDAR provides precise 3D depth perception, allowing vehicles to detect objects with high accuracy, regardless of lighting conditions. Additionally, LiDAR adds essential redundancy, which is critical for achieving safety at higher levels of automation. 
In terms of potential customers, seeing is believing - just look at the BMW i7 that is currently on the roads in Germany. 


How is AI and machine learning integrated into Innoviz's LiDAR solutions?  
Hofstetter        Innoviz’s Perception Software leverages AI to interpret LiDAR data in real-time, enabling autonomous vehicles to detect objects, classify them, track their movement, and predict behavior. AI-driven insights improve the safety and efficiency of autonomous navigation, making LiDAR an essential sensor for autonomous mobility.




Pedestrians are seen clearly with LiDAR, while they are in the dark with just cameras.



Cost is always a major concern for LiDAR. How do you balance performance and cost optimization?  
Hofstetter        Cost reduction is at the core of Innoviz’s solutions. We’ve developed a compact, efficient LiDAR  architecture with fewer components, allowing us to cut costs without sacrificing performance. Additionally, as volume production scales up, economies of scale will further drive down pricing, making high-performance LiDAR more accessible to automakers.


Beyond performance and cost, what other key factors should potential customers consider when choosing a LiDAR solution?
Hofstetter        Automakers evaluating a LiDAR solution must consider several critical factors to ensure long-term viability and effectiveness. Automotive-grade reliability is paramount - LiDAR systems must meet the highest industry standards to withstand the rigorous demands of real-world driving conditions. Scalability is another key factor, as manufacturers need to ensure the chosen solution can be produced at scale to support mass vehicle deployment without compromising quality or cost efficiency. Additionally, software capabilities play a crucial role in maximizing the LiDAR’s potential. Solutions that incorporate intelligent AI-based perception can enhance object detection, classification, and tracking, ultimately improving the vehicle’s ability to navigate complex environments safely and efficiently.


Compared to major competitors like Velodyne, Luminar, and Hesai, what are Innoviz’s unique strengths? Volkswagen ADMT reportedly replaced another LiDAR with Innoviz’s. Could you explain why? Also, how does this relate to your partnership with Mobileye?
Hofstetter        Innoviz stands out in the competitive LiDAR landscape through a combination of technological excellence, industry validation, and strategic partnerships. One of its key differentiators is its proven ability to support mass production - BMW has already deployed the InnovizOne on roads in Germany today, demonstrating real-world reliability at scale. Another major advantage is Innoviz’s Tier 1 status, a rare distinction that allows direct collaboration with automakers, streamlining integration and accelerating adoption. Additionally, Innoviz’s blockage resilience feature is a game-changer, ensuring the LiDAR maintains performance even in challenging conditions, which is a critical factor for long-term reliability. Furthermore, Innoviz’s partnership with Mobileye significantly expands its market reach, as every Mobileye L4 Drive customer will utilize Innoviz LiDARs, positioning it as a foundational technology in the next generation of autonomous driving solutions.


What are Innoviz Technologies' mid- to long-term goals and strategies? Finally, do you have any message for potential Korean customers?
Hofstetter        Innoviz’s ultimate goal is to become the global Tier 1 leader in LiDAR technology and perception software, powering the future of safe autonomous vehicles. Innoviz aims to make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike and we will achieve that one autonomous vehicle at a time.
Korea is a key market for Innoviz, and we are working to expand our presence here. We look forward to collaborating with leading Korean automakers, distributors, and suppliers to bring the next generation of autonomous mobility to the region.