Volvo Has Abandoned Luminar and Lidar for Its 2026 Models.

Volvo Has Abandoned Luminar and Lidar for Its 2026 Models.

      David Shepherd/Volvo

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      Volvo has been a strong advocate for lidar technology in autonomous driving, despite reports of the sensors in some vehicles damaging smartphone cameras. However, the automaker has had ongoing disagreements with its lidar supplier, Luminar, which recently prompted it to make lidar optional in its ES90 and EX90 models—previously standard features. We have learned today that Volvo has confirmed to The Drive that lidar will be completely removed from its lineup starting with the 2026 model year.

      “Volvo Cars has made the decision to eliminate the lidar sensor from its EX90 and ES90 models and end its partnership with supplier Luminar,” a representative from Volvo Cars USA stated on Tuesday. “This decision has been made to reduce the company's exposure to supply chain risks and is a direct result of Luminar not meeting its contractual obligations to Volvo Cars.

      “To accommodate customer demand and make the Volvo EX90 and ES90 models available to a broader audience while also mitigating supply chain risk, Volvo Cars previously decided to make lidar optional on these vehicles starting in 2026. The termination of the agreement with Luminar means lidar will no longer be included in any EX90 or ES90 model from the 2026 model year onward.”

      Volvo ES90. Volvo

      This clearly indicates that Volvo has ended its relationship with Luminar due to the supplier’s alleged failure to meet its commitments. Given Luminar’s recent financial struggles, significant layoffs, and a major reshuffle of its executive team following an ethics investigation by the board, it is not surprising that Volvo has lost faith in the Orlando-based company.

      This situation has placed Luminar in a precarious position. On Monday, it noted in an SEC filing concerning the termination of the contract that “there can be no guarantee that any claim or litigation against Volvo will be successful or that the Company will be able to recover damages from Volvo.”

      As for Volvo's future plans, the automaker has not suggested it will seek to replace Luminar’s lidar technology with components from another supplier, indicating this could mark the end of lidar technology in its vehicles.

      “The company’s products can provide a high level of safety and driver assistance, made possible by the cars’ robust core computing and advanced sensor suite—whether or not lidar is included,” the statement added. “This situation may affect some customer orders, and we apologize for any concerns this may cause. We are in the process of reaching out to impacted customers.”

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Volvo Has Abandoned Luminar and Lidar for Its 2026 Models. Volvo Has Abandoned Luminar and Lidar for Its 2026 Models.

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As sweet as it is to witness Philip/Kevin gain Mia’s trust and engage in her education—taking her to events like a Monster Cat Festival (a vibrant and colorful parade that showcases Japan's natural beauty)—one cannot help but question the mother’s reasoning in believing this is a solid plan, which could possibly shatter trust and leave emotional scars. Even if Mia performs better academically, what assurance is there that her improvement will persist after this false father departs, or even worse, should she discover the truth and worsen tensions with her mother? The plan is perplexing and neglects to provide the mother’s perspective (her character isn’t even named), with the narrative primarily focused on Philip. Philip's other roles include providing companionship to a lonely elderly actor (Akira Emoto) and expressing concern over the "apology" roles women are often assigned. The film also depicts the lives of various service employees, alongside a subplot where Philip regularly hires someone to alleviate his loneliness. While the film critiques the service for the degrading tasks women may undertake, the resolution concerning Philip, Mia, and her mother feels overly tidy, with the mother seemingly learning nothing and facing no consequences. This film would have benefited from focusing on one aspect of the rental service and developing it as the narrative's foundation. It is not that the film is overly complicated; rather, with numerous supporting characters, it feels compelled to heighten stakes or introduce convoluted twists, leading to contrived rather than natural storytelling. *Rental Family* follows predictable beats that invite eye-rolling. 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This relatively unexplored concept is at the heart of writer/director Hikari’s second narrative feature, *Rental Family* (named after the service depicted in the film), which presents various themes ripe for further examination. However, some restraint and focus could have been beneficial, as, by the end, apart from Brendan Fraser’s struggling actor who has made Japan his home, the other characters lack depth and primarily serve to elicit emotional responses from the audience. It is frustrating how often the film attempts to elevate emotional stakes in the second half, as it caused this critic to experience the opposite effect, leading to a collapse of engagement. The only cohesive element is the remarkable ensemble, fronted by the genuinely heartfelt performance of Brendan Fraser, who nearly compensates for the structural and character shortcomings surrounding him. His character, Philip (who assumes a new identity with each client and scenario), is understandably hesitant to join the service despite his urgent need for employment. On the surface, this service appears to have the potential for greater harm than good. Nevertheless, his views are gradually shifted by the outcome of a staged marriage he participates in, which enables the faux bride to escape to Canada with her girlfriend, allowing her to live authentically while her homophobic family remains under the impression that she is fulfilling the traditional role expected of her. While deception is inherent, everyone finds happiness, and an oppressed individual can live the life they desire. 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Volvo Has Abandoned Luminar and Lidar for Its 2026 Models.

After years of advancing the technology, Volvo now guarantees that its vehicles can provide a high standard of safety even in the absence of lidar.