What CHC Navigation does

CHC Navigation (Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Ltd.) is a Shanghai-headquartered precision positioning and geospatial technology company founded in 2003. The firm designs and manufactures GNSS receivers, GNSS+INS navigation systems, airborne and terrestrial LiDAR sensors, UAV and USV platforms, handheld SLAM scanners, mobile mapping systems, machine control hardware, and supporting point-cloud processing software. Its portfolio is organized into four verticals — Geospatial, Machine Control, Navigation, and Precision Agriculture — and serves surveying professionals, construction contractors, autonomous systems integrators, and farmers. Technical differentiation rests on a proprietary stack combining centimeter-level GNSS RTK, inertial navigation, fifth-generation LiDAR waveform processing, visual-LiDAR sensor fusion for GNSS-denied environments, and AI-driven point-cloud classification in its CoProcess software.

The company operates a quote-based, consultative B2B sales model with no publicly disclosed pricing. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales (GNSS receivers, LiDAR systems, UAVs, USVs, machine control kits) supplemented by subscription and recurring software revenue from CoProcess, CoCloud, CoPre, and LandStar, alongside satellite-based correction services such as PointSky. Distribution runs through a global authorized dealer network spanning 140+ countries, supported by regional operating entities in Budapest (Europe) and Singapore (APAC), direct OEM integration partnerships (notably CNH Industrial for precision agriculture kits in EMEA), and direct enterprise inquiry handling. Selected end-customer deployments include over 200 autonomous mining trucks at Tianchi Energy's Xinjiang coalfield, a 23,000-kilometer road survey in Riyadh via Hudhud, and CNH's FleetPro aftermarket kits.

CHC Navigation does not publicly disclose revenue, has no identified institutional funding rounds in the available data, and appears to be founder/management-controlled as a privately held entity. It maintains dual regional operating entities in Hungary and Singapore, EU data infrastructure in Dublin, and an expanding product cadence in 2026 spanning LiDAR, USV, SLAM, hydrographic, GNSS receiver, and software platforms. The company is explicitly identified alongside Trimble, Ag Leader, Hexagon, and John Deere as a key player in the precision agriculture automated steering market.

Name

CHC Navigation

Legal name

Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Ltd.

Website

https://chcnav.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CHC Navigation is a Shanghai-based precision positioning and geospatial technology company that designs GNSS receivers, LiDAR, UAV/USV platforms, and point-cloud processing software for surveying, construction, autonomous systems, and precision agriculture customers across 140+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Geospatial and Navigation Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software (AFAAAFAH), Satellite, GNSS & Positioning RF ICs (HDAHAMAJ)

Keywords

• Precision GNSS receivers
• Geospatial LiDAR systems
• Machine control solutions
• Precision agriculture navigation
• Unmanned surface vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Positioning and Navigation Systems: CHC Navigation generates primary revenue from selling GNSS receivers (i93, i85, i76, i73+), GNSS smart antennas, laser rangefinders, and GNSS+INS sensors. These are precision positioning devices sold to surveying, construction, and navigation professionals. Hardware constitutes the majority of product portfolio across Geospatial, Machine Control, Navigation, and Agriculture verticals.
2. UAV and USV Platform Sales: Sale of X500 professional multirotor drones, Apache series unmanned surface vessels for marine surveying, and airborne LiDAR systems (AlphaAir series). These unmanned platforms integrate CHC's positioning technology with third-party sensors for specific applications.
3. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: CoProcess point cloud processing software, CoPre surveying software, CoCloud cloud platform for automated post-processing and deliverables generation, and LandStar field software. Software enables end-to-end workflow from data capture to deliverables, with cloud services offering subscription-based access.
4. Precision Agriculture Systems: Tractor guidance systems, auto-steering systems, spraying control, and precision farming kits. Revenue includes both hardware (sensors, controllers) and software for farm management and satellite-based correction services like PointSky.
5. Machine Control Systems: GPS/GNSS machine control systems for excavators, dozers, graders, and compactors. Includes 3D machine control, CAD field software, and integrated positioning solutions for construction equipment manufacturers and contractors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CHC Navigation designs and manufactures high-precision GNSS receivers, inertial navigation systems, LiDAR sensors, airborne and handheld scanners, UAV and USV platforms, and mobile mapping systems for surveying, construction, autonomous navigation, and agriculture. The company also offers integrated point cloud processing software (CoProcess, CoCloud, CoPre, LandStar) and satellite-based correction services (PointSky, SWAS) to deliver complete data capture-to-deliverable workflows.

Product overview

CHC Navigation offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision geospatial solutions organized across four main verticals: Geospatial (surveying, mapping, LiDAR systems, UAVs, USVs, and point cloud processing software including CoProcess, CoCloud, CoPre), Machine Control (GPS GNSS systems for construction equipment), Navigation (GNSS INS positioning for autonomous vehicles, robotics, mining, and marine applications), and Agriculture (tractor guidance and auto-steering systems). The product ecosystem includes airborne LiDAR systems (AlphaAir series), handheld SLAM scanners (RS7, RS10), mobile mapping systems (AU20, AlphaUni), UAV platforms (X500), USV platforms (Apache series), GNSS receivers (i-series, ViLi i100), hydrographic sensors (D-series, HN-400M, ADCP systems), monitoring solutions, and cloud processing platforms. The CoProcess software handles large-scale point cloud processing with AI-driven classification, while CoCloud provides cloud-based post-processing. Integration with third-party systems includes NORBIT multibeam echosounders for bathymetric surveys.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoProcess: Professional LiDAR point cloud processing software platform for converting large-scale datasets into engineering-ready survey deliverables
• CoPre
• CoCloud
• LandStar
• AlphaAir
• Apache
• X500
• AU20
• i-Series
• ViLi
• PointSky

Products and services

• AlphaAir 6 Airborne LiDAR System Flagship airborne LiDAR system for UAV-based laser scanning and aerial surveying in complex terrain, designed for professional geospatial mapping operators.
• AlphaAir 15 Pro Airborne LiDAR System Professional airborne LiDAR system designed for large-scale geospatial mapping with enhanced performance capabilities for surveying and aerial mapping professionals.
• AlphaAir 10/15/450/6 Dual Airborne LiDAR Systems Family of airborne LiDAR systems including RGB, premium, and dual-sensor configurations for aerial surveying and mapping applications.
• RS7 Handheld SLAM Scanner Handheld SLAM scanning solution for BIM documentation, indoor surveying, and reality capture with 1.15 million points per second scanning rate and photorealistic 3D Gaussian Splatting visualization, designed for surveying professionals and BIM specialists.
• RS10 Handheld SLAM LiDAR Scanner Handheld SLAM LiDAR laser scanner featuring integrated RTK GNSS receiver with approximately 5 cm absolute accuracy for handheld mapping applications.
• ViLi i100 Visual-LiDAR GNSS RTK Receiver High-precision Visual-LiDAR GNSS RTK receiver designed for challenging environments such as tunnels and construction zones, offering centimeter-level accuracy in GNSS-denied areas through sensor fusion and SLAM algorithms for surveying and construction professionals.
• i-Series GNSS RTK Receivers (i93, i85, i76, i73+, i83, i89) and iBase Base Station Family of high-precision GNSS RTK receivers and smart antennas with centimeter-level accuracy for professional surveying and mapping applications, complemented by base stations for RTK corrections.
• X500 Professional Multirotor Drone Professional multirotor drone platform with 5 kg payload capacity, 58-minute flight endurance, IP55 rating, V-SLAM visual positioning, obstacle detection, hot-swappable batteries, and up to 20 km video transmission range, supporting up to 3 concurrent payloads for surveying and mapping missions.
• Apache Series Unmanned Surface Vessels (Apache 3, Apache 3 PRO, Apache 4, Apache 4 PRO, Apache 6) Integrated unmanned surface vessel platforms designed for high-resolution bathymetric and 3D marine mapping applications, optimized for seamless integration with NORBIT multibeam echosounders.
• AU20 / AlphaUni 20 Mobile Mapping System Mobile mapping system for high-resolution road surveying and digital basemap creation, capable of surveying large distances (over 23,000 kilometers demonstrated) while addressing urban canyon challenges for smart city and infrastructure mapping.
• AlphaUni 1300 Mobile Mapping System Long-range mobile mapping system for 3D data capture and large-scale mapping applications.
• Hydrographic Sensors (HN-400M MBES, D270, D390, D60, HQ-400, RS-1200, RS-600, RS3600D) Multibeam echosounders, single-beam depth sensors, and ADCP current profiling systems for bathymetric surveying, depth measurement, and hydrographic data acquisition.
• Deformation Monitoring Systems (H3, PS-2000, MAS, H960) Multi-point deformation monitoring systems, data loggers, and structural health assessment hardware for infrastructure and environmental monitoring applications.
• Surveying Field Controllers and Accessories (LT60H, LT800, LT800H, HCE600, DL8, C220GR2, P5, P5E, CTS-A100, CTS-M100) Field controllers, tablets, datalinks, GNSS antennas, sensors, and total stations supporting field data collection, GNSS signal reception, and precision measurement workflows for surveying professionals.
• Aerial Camera Systems (C5 Orthographic, C30 Oblique) Aerial orthographic and oblique camera systems for UAV-based mapping and comprehensive aerial survey imaging.
• CoProcess (Next Generation) Point Cloud Processing Software Next-generation professional LiDAR point cloud processing software handling datasets exceeding 300 GB within a single continuous workflow, with AI-driven classification, terrain modeling, and scan-to-CAD drafting capabilities for geospatial professionals.
• CoProcess Classic Point Cloud Processing Software Classic version of CoProcess point cloud processing software for survey data preparation and LiDAR data workflows.
• CoPre Geospatial Data Preprocessing Software Professional geospatial data preprocessing software for preparing point cloud and imagery data prior to detailed processing and analysis.
• CoCloud Cloud Post-Processing Platform Cloud-based platform for automated post-processing and deliverables generation from point cloud scanning data, with EU data hosting in Ireland-Dublin.
• LandStar Surveying and Mapping Software Surveying and mapping software for GNSS data collection and processing workflows in field surveying operations.
• CGO and CGBAS GNSS Software Surveying software for GNSS data processing and analysis (CGO) along with base station software for GNSS correction data management (CGBAS).
• HCMonitor Deformation Monitoring Software Deformation monitoring software for data analysis and visualization supporting structural health assessment workflows.
• Precision Agriculture Systems Tractor guidance and auto-steering systems powered by GPS farming technologies for precision agriculture practices including planting, irrigation, spraying, and harvesting optimization for farms of any size.
• Machine Control Systems GPS GNSS machine control systems for excavators, dozers, graders, and compactors providing enhanced accuracy and productivity in earthmoving operations, complemented by GNSS rovers and CAD field software for construction companies and contractors.
• GNSS Navigation Systems High-precision GNSS + INS navigation systems, GPS RTK sensors, and chipsets for autonomous vehicles, automotive, robotics, mining, marine, and industrial applications, enabling high-accuracy reliable performance for integrators.
• PointSky / SWAS Satellite-Based Correction Service Satellite-based correction service for enhanced GNSS positioning accuracy, supporting precision agriculture and other high-accuracy positioning applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Terrain classification for 100 GB datasets in approximately 2 hours
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• HudhudcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Hudhud, a surveying and mapping company, utilized CHCNAV's AU20 mobile mapping system to complete a major road surveying project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project surveyed over 23,000 kilometers of road, creating a high-resolution digital basemap for navigation and smart city applications. The successful project demonstrates CHCNAV's capability to support large-scale infrastructure mapping initiatives.
• NORBITcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 January 2026NORBIT multibeam echosounders are seamlessly integrated with CHC Navigation's Apache 6 USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) for high-resolution bathymetric and 3D mapping applications. The Apache 6 features an automated sound velocity profiler kit optimized for NORBIT integration, enabling streamlined marine survey operations.
• CNH IndustrialflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Strategic partnership announced at Agritechnica 2025 to integrate CHC Navigation's high-precision guidance systems into CNH Industrial's FP FleetPro aftermarket precision agriculture kits. The collaboration aims to make precision agriculture tools more accessible and cost-effective for farmers across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. CHC Navigation showcased various auto-steering, spraying, and guidance solutions as part of CNH's precision agriculture ecosystem.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Trimble: Trimble is a direct peer offering GNSS hardware, machine control systems, precision agriculture tools, and geospatial software that overlap almost one-to-one with CHCNAV's Geospatial, Machine Control, and Agriculture verticals.
• Topcon Positioning Systems: Topcon offers GNSS receivers, machine control, and precision agriculture systems that directly overlap with CHCNAV's i-series, machine control, and agriculture portfolios.
• Stonex: Stonex is an Italian-headquartered GNSS and surveying instrument manufacturer with a comparable product portfolio (RTK receivers, total stations, GIS data collectors) and similar mid-tier positioning in the global market.
• ComNav Technology: ComNav Technology is a Chinese competitor selling GNSS receivers, OEM boards, and high-precision positioning modules that overlap with CHCNAV's GNSS+INS Navigation business, often at lower price points.
• Hemisphere GNSS: Hemisphere GNSS designs and manufactures GNSS positioning boards and receivers used in surveying, machine control, and OEM applications, directly competing with CHCNAV's Navigation and OEM modules.
• South Surveying & Mapping Instrument: South is a major Chinese surveying instrument manufacturer offering GNSS receivers, total stations, and UAS mapping systems that compete head-to-head with CHCNAV in emerging markets and domestic China.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon (Leica Geosystems): Hexagon's Leica Geosystems division competes with CHCNAV across surveying instruments, mobile mapping, and airborne LiDAR, and operates as a larger multi-vertical incumbent with deeper R&D and global channel reach.
• DJI Enterprise: DJI Enterprise is the dominant commercial UAV platform with extensive surveying/mapping payload ecosystem, competing with CHCNAV's X500 drone and broader aerial mapping solutions at scale.

Emerging players

• SBG Systems: SBG Systems specializes in GNSS+INS sensor fusion for surveying, marine, and autonomous applications, overlapping with CHCNAV's hybrid positioning offering but typically serving higher-precision niche use cases.
• UAV-asia Surveying / Phoenix LiDAR: Phoenix LiDAR Systems builds airborne and terrestrial LiDAR solutions for UAV-based mapping that overlap with CHCNAV's AlphaAir series and RS-series handheld scanners in the geospatial customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHCNavigation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHC Navigation