AEye, Inc. (NASDAQ:LIDR), a global leader in software-defined, high-performance lidar solutions, today announced that its Apollo™ lidar sensor has received the "Smart Sensing Technology Innovation Award" at the EAC 2026 Zhiyao Awards in Shanghai, China.

The EAC Zhiyao Awards are organized by EAC Automotive together with leading automotive industry media outlets, including Zhiche Hangjia and AUTO Hangjia. The annual awards program recognizes leading companies and innovative technologies advancing the development of intelligent vehicles and next-generation automotive systems.

Apollo™ was selected through a combined evaluation process consisting of expert panel review and public voting. The award recognizes innovation in intelligent sensing technologies supporting advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and broader Physical AI applications.

Apollo™ is AEye's software-defined lidar product capable of detecting objects at distances of up to one kilometer in a compact form factor. Purpose-built to enable Physical AI, Apollo™ was designed for multiple use cases, including behind-the-windshield integration in automotive and trucking, as well as applications in rail, mining, and other industries. The platform enables long-range, real-time 3D perception designed to help machines better understand and respond to complex real-world environments.

"We are truly honored to receive this recognition from EAC and the broader intelligent vehicle community in China," said Matt Fisch, Chairman and CEO of AEye. "As Physical AI systems continue expanding into real-world transportation environments, perception becomes foundational. Apollo™ was designed to give machines the ability to see farther, understand more, and react sooner."

The award was formally presented during the EAC 2026 Automotive Industry Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai on May 28, 2026.

About AEye, Inc.

AEye offers a suite of unique software-defined lidar solutions that address a wide range of real-world needs including advanced driver-assistance, vehicle autonomy, smart infrastructure, security, defense, and logistics applications. AEye's flagship product, Apollo™, has been widely recognized for its small form factor and its ability to detect objects at up to one kilometer. In addition to Apollo™, AEye also offers STRATOS™ with the ability to detect objects at up to one-and-a-half kilometers as well as a full-stack solution through its OPTIS™ platform. OPTIS™ provides a complete system that captures a high-resolution 3D image of the world, interprets it, and provides direction to act upon what it sees in real-time.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are sometimes accompanied by words such as "believe," "continue," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "predict," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "potential," "seem," "seek," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements about Apollo's™ capabilities in supporting advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and broader Physical AI applications; Apollo's™ ability to detect objects at distances of up to one kilometer in a compact form factor; Apollo's™ suitability for behind-the-windshield integration in automotive and trucking, as well as applications in rail, mining, and other industries; Apollo's™ ability to enable long-range, real-time 3D perception that helps machines better understand and respond to complex real-world environments; and Apollo's™ ability to give machines the ability to see farther, understand more, and react sooner, among others. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by an investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are very difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from the assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of AEye. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the risks that Apollo™ may not adequately support ADAS, autonomous driving, or broader Physical AI applications to the extent or in the time frame anticipated, or at all; (ii) the risks that Apollo™ may not detect objects at distances of up to one kilometer, may not maintain a compact form factor, or may not perform as expected in such configurations; (iii) the risks that Apollo™ may not be successfully integrated behind the windshield in automotive or trucking applications, or be suitable for rail, mining, or other industrial applications, to the extent anticipated, or at all; (iv) the risks that Apollo™ may not deliver long-range, real-time 3D perception that helps machines better understand and respond to complex real-world environments to the extent anticipated, or at all; (v) the risks that Apollo's™ performance, reliability, and adaptability in complex real-world environments may be matched or exceeded by competitors or alternative technologies; (vi) the risks that AEye's products may not meet the diverse range of performance and functional requirements of target markets and customers; (vii) the risks that AEye's products may not function as anticipated by AEye, or by target markets and customers; (viii) the risks that the Physical AI market and the expansion of intelligent sensing technologies into real-world transportation environments may not develop as anticipated, or at all; (ix) the risks that AEye may not be in a position to adequately or timely address either the near or long-term opportunities that may or may not exist in the evolving autonomous transportation and Physical AI industries; (x) the risks that laws and regulations are adopted impacting the use of lidar that AEye is unable to comply with, in whole or in part; (xi) the risks associated with changes in competitive and regulated industries in which AEye operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting AEye's business; (xii) the risks that AEye is unable to adequately implement its business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; and (xiii) the risks of economic downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive and evolving industry in which AEye operates. These risks and uncertainties may be amplified by current or future global conflicts and current and potential trade restrictions, trade tensions, and tariffs, all of which continue to cause economic uncertainty. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the periodic report that AEye has most recently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and other documents filed by us or that will be filed by us from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements; AEye assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. AEye gives no assurance that AEye will achieve any of its expectations.

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Apollo™ Receives Smart Sensing Technology Innovation Award