“This year was a turning point for Ouster as we scaled up our commercial engine, proved our high-volume manufacturing capabilities, accelerated our automotive roadmap, and won key customers across each of our target vertical markets. We expect 2022 to be even stronger, with important product and customer milestones that we are excited to share throughout the year,” said Ouster CEO Angus Pacala. “Ouster’s diversified, digital lidar strategy has taken stride. We have a clear plan to grow our business, further differentiate our product offerings, capture market share and extend our market leadership.”
Business Updates
Accelerated Automotive Momentum: Ouster established Ouster Automotive to advance negotiations with global automotive OEMs for series production programs with anticipated 2025 to 2026 start of production. The Company also delivered on key milestones as part of its strategic OEM development deal, shipping prototypes in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Continued Customer Traction: In 2021, Ouster sold sensors to over 600 customers4 and 40 distributors, and signed 58 additional multi-year SCAs. In 2021, the automotive vertical accounted for 34% of sensors shipped. The industrial vertical accounted for 25% of sensors shipped. Robotics and Smart Infrastructure verticals accounted for 26% and 15% of sensors shipped, respectively.
Delivered on Product Roadmap: Ouster reached a substantial milestone with the introduction of its L2X chip, which doubled both the processing power and data output of its OS sensors, opening up additional market opportunities and revenue in the fourth quarter and beyond. The Company also introduced the Ouster Automotive DF series, its true solid-state lidar sensors for high-volume automotive programs for anticipated start of production in 2025.
2022 Outlook
For the full year 2022, Ouster aims to double revenue, targeting a range of $65 million to $85 million. The Company also expects to maintain positive gross margins, targeting a range of 25% to 30%.
Ouster expects key catalysts for growth to drive product volume and increase revenue in 2022 and subsequent years. This includes at least one OEM production program award expected this year, the upcoming launch of its L3 chip, critical safety certifications to displace legacy sensors across its verticals, and a more robust software ecosystem, all of which is expected to accelerate lidar adoption, expand market opportunities and provide customized solutions for its customers.
“Ouster had a breakout year in 2021, reinforcing our view that we chose the right technology with CMOS digital lidar, and the right strategy with our multi-market approach,” said Ouster CFO Anna Brunelle. “As a result of our meaningful customer growth, and 68 established SCAs through 2021, we are building greater predictability in our business, and aim to double revenue in 2022.”
Conference Call Information
Ouster will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors at 5 p.m. EST today, February 15, to discuss its financial results and business outlook. To access the call, please register by visiting the website https://conferencingportals.com/event/XOJjOxLp.
4 | “Customer” is defined as having purchased a sensor within the past twelve months ended December 31, 2021. |
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