A US Department of Energy lab is probing whether Chinese-made lidar sensors could pose a security threat in the US. The Idaho National Laboratory, funded by companies like Rivian and General Motors, is conducting an investigation amid growing concerns about potential military or industrial espionage.

The review comes as lawmakers push to ban Chinese lidar on American roads, citing fears of 'back doors' transmitting sensitive data back to China. Lidar technology uses laser pulses to provide high-resolution images of a vehicle's surroundings, making it crucial for autonomous vehicles but also raising concerns about cybersecurity risks.

Chinese companies like Hesai and RoboSense have significantly reduced the cost of lidar sensors, threatening the market dominance of US firms. This has led several American manufacturers, including Rivian, to consider using Chinese technology despite security worries. The Idaho National Laboratory’s review aims to assess these risks comprehensively.