Chinese automaker BYD and drone manufacturer DJI have launched a vehicle-mounted drone system, aiming to transform vehicles into mobile entertainment hubs, the companies said on Monday.
The system, named Ling Yuan, integrates a drone with the vehicle, allowing it to capture travel moments from a vertical perspective. It consists of a drone hangar, a drone, an onboard positioning module, and BYD’s Ling Yuan App, which includes AI recognition, image, and music editing software.
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“The Ling Yuan system is aimed at making the car more fun to drive,” BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu said at the launch event in Shenzhen, adding that consumers now seek more than just a mode of transportation but also a mobile space for entertainment and socialization.
The drone can take off and land dynamically at speeds of up to 25 km/h and follow a vehicle at speeds of up to 54 km/h. It has a range of 2 km and automatically returns to recharge when the battery drops to 20 percent, reaching 80 percent charge in 30 minutes.
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BYD said the system, priced at RMB 16,000 ($2,200), will be available across its brands, with the first compatible models including the Yangwang U8, Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, Fang Cheng Bao Tai 3, Denza N9, BYD Sealion 07 DM-i, and BYD Tang L.
The Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, featuring the drone system, was launched with a price range of RMB 395,800 to 423,800. Meanwhile, the Yangwang U8 Off-road Master Edition, introduced at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2024, includes a drone cabin on its roof but remains a premium offering at RMB 1,098,000 ($151,060).
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With the Ling Yuan system, BYD’s more affordable models will now have access to drone technology, expanding its availability beyond the ultra-luxury segment.