Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker BYD is set to introduce an advanced on-vehicle drone system in partnership with drone manufacturer DJI, as it moves to incorporate drone technology into more of its models.
BYD announced on its Weibo account on Saturday that it would collaborate with DJI on March 2 for the launch of a smart in-vehicle drone system. “With eyes that can think, frame every moment of the excitement of traveling,” the company wrote, suggesting the system is designed to allow drones to track vehicles in motion.
The automaker previously integrated a drone system into one of its models and has been considering expanding the feature to a broader lineup. At the Beijing auto show on April 25, 2024, BYD’s high-end sub-brand Yangwang introduced the U8 Off-road Master Edition, featuring a dedicated drone storage compartment on the roof.
The vehicle comes equipped with a DJI Mavic 3 drone, capable of automatically recognizing and following the car at speeds of up to 55 km/h. Users can adjust the drone’s angle through the vehicle’s onboard screen or control it remotely.
The Yangwang U8 Off-road Master Edition, an ultra-luxury SUV, starts at RMB 1,098,000 ($151,060), limiting accessibility to a niche market. However, BYD appears poised to extend its in-vehicle drone system to more affordable models.
According to regulatory filings, drone-equipped variants are expected for several BYD sub-brand models, including Denza’s N9 SUV, Fang Cheng Bao’s Tai 3, as well as BYD’s Tang L and Sealion 07 DM-i models. The company has not disclosed additional details on pricing or launch dates for these variants.