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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries (all of which are wholly owned) and have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries (all of which are wholly owned) and have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. The most significant estimates included in these consolidated financial statements are the useful lives of long-lived assets, revenue recognition, inventory write downs, the realizability of deferred tax assets, the measurement of stock-based compensation, and the valuation of the Company’s various financial instruments. The complexity of the estimation process and factors relating to assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent with the use of the estimates affect the amount of revenue and related expenses reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Internal and external factors can affect the Company’s estimates. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method. The Company recognizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company assesses the fair value of assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed using a variety of methods. Each asset acquired and liability assumed is measured at fair value from the perspective of a market participant. The method used to estimate the fair values of intangible assets incorporates significant estimates and assumptions regarding the estimates a market participant would make in order to evaluate an asset, including a market participant’s use of the asset, future cash inflows and outflows, probabilities of success, asset lives, and the appropriate discount rates. Any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Transaction costs and restructuring costs associated with a business combination are expensed as incurred.
During the measurement period, which extends no later than one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record certain adjustments to the carrying value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. After the measurement period, all adjustments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within other income (expense), net.
Foreign Currencies
Foreign Currencies
The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries is generally the same as the entity’s local currency. Accordingly, the asset and liability accounts of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and equity accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using historical rates. The revenues and expenses are translated using the weighted-average exchange rates in effect during the period, and gains and losses from foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are a result of the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Segment Information
Segment Information
The Company operates as one reportable and operating segment, which relates to the sale and production of lidar sensor kits. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance and allocating resources. The profitability of the Company’s product group is not a determining factor in allocating resources and the CODM does not evaluate profitability below the level of the consolidated company.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised products or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products or services. To achieve the core principle of this standard, the Company performs the following five steps:
1) Identify the contract with a customer
A contract with a customer exists when the contract is approved, each party’s rights regarding the product or services to be transferred and the payment terms for the product or services can be identified, it is determined that the customer has the ability and intent to pay and the contract has commercial substance. The Company applies judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intent to pay, which is based on a variety of factors, including the customer’s historical payment experience or, in the case of a new customer, credit and financial information pertaining to the customer. Accounts receivable are due under normal trade terms, typically three months or less.
2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the product or services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the product or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from the Company, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the product or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.
3) Determine the transaction price
The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring product or services to the customer. Royalties from the license of intellectual property (“IP”) are included in the transaction price in the period the sales occur. Other forms of variable consideration are included in the transaction price if the Company judges that it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. None of the Company’s contracts contain a significant financing component. All taxes assessed by a governmental authority on a specific revenue-producing transaction collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from the transaction price.
4) Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract
If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”). In 2025 and 2024, the Company did not have a material volume of contracts that required the allocation of transaction price to multiple performance obligations.
5) Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation
Revenue is recognized at the time the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the promised product or service to a customer.
If revenue is derived from more than one of the subcaptions described below, each class which is not more than 10 percent of the sum of the items is combined with another class.
Product revenue
The majority of the Company’s revenue comes from product sales of lidar sensors to direct customers and distributors. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, generally occurring upon shipment or delivery dependent upon the terms of the underlying contract. Product sales to certain customers may require customer acceptance due to performance acceptance criteria that are considered more than a formality. For these product sales, revenue is recognized upon the expiration of the customer acceptance period. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are included in revenue, and the Company has elected to recognize the cost of shipping activities that occur after control has transferred to the customer as a fulfillment cost rather than a separate performance obligation. All related shipping costs are accrued and recognized within cost of revenue when the related revenue is recognized.
Services
The Company’s services revenue consists primarily of software development and compliance services. The obligation to provide services is generally satisfied over time, with the customer simultaneously receiving and consuming the benefits as the Company satisfies its performance obligations. For product development and validation service projects, the Company bills and recognizes revenue as the services are performed. For these arrangements, control is transferred over as the Company’s inputs are incurred to complete the project; therefore, revenue is recognized over the service period with the measure of progress using the input method based on labor costs incurred to total labor cost (“cost-to-cost”) as the services are provided.
IP Licenses
The Company licenses rights to its IP to certain customers and collects royalties based on customer’s product sales. IP revenue recognition is dependent on the nature and terms of each agreement. The Company recognizes license revenue upon the later of (a) delivery of the IP or (b) commencement of the license term if there are no substantive future obligations to perform under the arrangement. Revenue for licenses to future technology developed on a when-and-if -available basis is recognized straight-line over the license period as long as customers continue to have access to the future technology. Royalties from the license of IP are recognized at the later of the period the sales occur or the satisfaction of the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalties have been allocated.
Software Licenses
The Company’s Gemini software license arrangements provide the customer with the right to install and use functional intellectual property (as it exists at the point in time at which the license is granted) for the duration of the contract term (perpetual or term license). Revenue from distinct software licenses is recognized at the point in time when the software is made available to the customer.
Maintenance
The Company’s Gemini software license arrangements typically include an initial (bundled) post contract customer support (maintenance or “PCS”) term. Those software license arrangements, which include PCS represent a distinct, stand-alone performance obligation. Contract consideration is allocated to the PCS based on its relative SSP and revenue is recognized ratably over the PCS term.
Product Warranties
The Company provides standard product warranties for a term of typically one to two years to ensure that its products comply with agreed-upon specifications. Standard warranties are considered to be assurance type warranties and are not accounted for as separate performance obligations. The Company also provides service type extended warranties for typically an additional term ranging up to two additional years. For service type extended warranty contracts, the Company allocates revenue to this performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis and recognizes the revenue on a ratable basis over time during the effective period of the services as the Company stands ready to provide services as needed.
Costs to obtain a contract
The Company expenses the incremental costs of obtaining a contract when incurred because the amortization period for these costs would typically be less than one year. These costs primarily relate to sales commissions and are expensed as incurred in sales and marketing expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The incremental cost of obtaining a contract for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $4.6 million, and $4.1 million, respectively.
Right of return
The Company’s general terms and conditions for its contracts do not contain a right of return that allows the customer to return products and receive a credit, however it has in practice permitted returns of its sensor kits in limited circumstances. Allowances for sales returns, which reduce revenue, are estimated using historical experience and were immaterial as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Actual returns in subsequent periods have been consistent with estimated amounts.
Net loss per common share
Net loss per common share
The Company follows the two-class method when computing net loss per common share. The two-class method determines net loss per common share for common and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed. The Company has no participating securities outstanding for the periods presented.
Basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders is computed by adjusting net loss attributable to common stockholders to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive common shares assuming the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents.
In periods in which the Company reports a net loss attributable to common stockholders, diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is the same as basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders, since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s changes in unrealized loss on available for sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustment are the only components of other comprehensive loss that is excluded from the reported net loss for all periods presented.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposited with banks, money market accounts and commercial paper.
Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of collateral to merchant credit card, deposit account to secure foreign entity closure costs, issuance of a deposit performance guarantee issued in favor of a customer, and certificates of deposit held by a bank as security for outstanding letters of credit.
Investments
Investments
The Company considers investments with an original maturity greater than three months and remaining maturities less than one year to be short-term investments. The Company classifies those investments that are not required for use in current operations and that mature in more than 12 months as long-term investments.
The Company classifies its investments as available for sale and reports them at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. For investments sold prior to maturity, the cost of investments sold is based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are recorded in other income, net in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company maintains an allowance for expected credit losses representing its best estimate of expected credit losses related to its existing accounts receivable and their net realizable value. The allowance is determined using a combination of factors including historical losses adjusted to take into account current market conditions and customers’ financial condition, the amount of receivables in dispute, and the current receivables aging and current payment patterns. The Company writes off accounts receivable against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
Inventory
Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods and is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Costs are computed under the standard cost method, which approximates actual costs determined on the first-in, first-out basis. The Company charges cost of revenue for write-downs of inventories which are obsolete or in excess of anticipated demand based on purchase commitments, production needed to fulfil the warranty obligations, consideration of product marketability and product development plans, historical revenue and assumptions about future demand and market conditions.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is comprised of all land, buildings and leasehold improvements and machinery and equipment used in our operations and corporate administration. Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of income. Assets, excluding land, are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. (see Note 4).
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company records an impairment charge in the period in which such determination is made. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of developed technology, vendor relationship and customer relationships. Acquired intangible assets are initially recorded at the acquisition-date fair value. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally 3 to 8 years.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company applies the fair value measurement accounting standard whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements. Fair value is defined in the accounting standard as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company has certain assets, including intangible assets, which are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are adjusted to fair value only if an impairment charge is recognized. The categorization of the framework used to measure fair value of the assets is considered to be within the Level 3 valuation hierarchy due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used.
Disclosure of Fair Values
Our financial instruments that are not re-measured at fair value include accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities and debt. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair values.
Amazon Warrant
Amazon Warrant
The Amazon Warrant (as defined in Note 6) is accounted for as an equity instrument. To determine the fair value of the Amazon Warrant on its issuance date, the Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
For awards granted to a customer, which are not in exchange for distinct goods or services, the fair value of the awards earned based on service or performance conditions is recorded as a reduction of the transaction price. Accordingly, when Amazon purchases goods or services and vesting conditions become probable of being achieved, the Company records a non-cash stock-based reduction to revenue associated with the Amazon Warrant, which is calculated based on the fair value of the Amazon Warrant shares as of the Velodyne Merger date.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, and accounts receivable. Although the Company deposits its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments with financial institutions that the Company believes are of high credit quality, its deposits, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash with financial institutions in the U.S. of $201.3 million and $161.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company also had cash with financial institutions in countries other than the U.S. of approximately $9.9 million and $12.8 million, respectively, that was not federally insured.
The Company generally does not require collateral or other security deposits for accounts receivable.
To reduce credit risk, the Company considers customer creditworthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends, and changes in customer payment terms when determining the collectability of specific customer accounts. Past due balances over 90 days and other higher risk amounts are reviewed individually for collectability. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to valuation allowance. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based Compensation
The Company measures and recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock-based awards granted to employees, directors, and consultants over the requisite service periods based on the estimated stock-based award grant date fair value.
The fair values of the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units were determined based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. The Company’s policy for issuing stock upon stock option exercise is to issue new common stock.
Government Credits
Government Credits
The employee retention credit (“ERC”), as originally enacted through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) on March 27, 2020, is a refundable credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer paid to employees from March 17, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Disaster Tax Relief Act, enacted on December 27, 2020, extended the ERC for qualified wages paid from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 and the credit was increased to 70% of qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees during the extended period. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, enacted on March 11, 2021, further extended the employee retention credit through December 31, 2021. The Company qualified for the ERC for the period between March 17, 2020 and September 30, 2021. The Company recognizes government credits for which there is a reasonable assurance of compliance with credit conditions and receipt of credits. The Company received credits in the amount of $8.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the ERC was recorded as follows: $2.4 million as a reduction in cost of revenue, $3.3 million as a reduction in research and development expense, $1.1 million as a reduction in sales and marketing expense and $1.2 million as a reduction to general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The qualified wages and health insurance benefits paid by the Company were related to the first, second and third quarters of 2021.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and net operating loss (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Due to its history of operating losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of the related
appeals or litigation processes, if any. An uncertain tax position that meets a more likely than not standard based on its technical merit would then be evaluated under the measurement step to determine the largest tax benefit that the taxpayer more likely than not will realize. The Company classifies any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as current to the extent that the Company anticipates payment of cash within one year. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in the provision for income taxes.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”), which prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation and requires disclosure of additional information for reconciling items meeting certain quantitative thresholds, requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, and modifies certain other income tax-related disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025 and can be adopted on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company adopted the amendments in this update for the annual period beginning fiscal year 2025 and applied the new disclosure requirements prospectively to the current annual period. Prior period disclosures have not been adjusted to reflect the new disclosure requirements. Refer to Note 13. Income Taxes regarding the additional disclosures included within the consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not referenced below were assessed and determined to be not applicable and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets ("ASU 2025-05"). This standard introduces a practical expedient that companies can choose to apply when determining allowances for credit losses. Specifically, it permits companies to assume that the current conditions as of the balance sheet date remain unchanged throughout the remaining life of the assets. This standard is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and requires prospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2025-05, however, does not expect it to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-03, Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810) ("ASU 2025-03"), which clarifies the requirements for determining the accounting acquirer in the acquisition of a variable interest entity. ASU 2025-03 beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The amendments in this update require that an entity apply the new guidance prospectively to any acquisition transaction that occurs after the initial application date. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the disclosure impact that ASU 2025-03 may have on its financial statement presentation and disclosures.
In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-04, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2025-04"), which clarifies the requirements for share-based consideration payable to a customer. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods) beginning after December 15, 2026. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company is currently evaluating the disclosure impact that ASU 2025-04 may have on its financial statement presentation and disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses.” The new standard requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosures. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively, with the option for retrospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on the disclosures within the consolidated financial statements.