BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is set to introduce its in-house developed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature on urban roads by the end of March, according to a recent report.
The deployment of BYD’s city pilot assisted driving feature is scheduled for March 30, with the Denza-branded N7 SUV being the initial model to receive the feature, as reported by LatePost on February 5, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The rollout will primarily target major cities, including Shenzhen, where BYD is headquartered. However, as of now, only Shenzhen is nearing availability for the feature, the report stated.
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Historically, BYD’s sales largely stemmed from the mass market segment, prioritizing affordability over advanced smart driving features. Yet, with shifting dynamics both internally and externally, the company is now focusing on enhancing its smart driving capabilities.
As BYD ventures into the premium market with brands like Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang, the significance of smart driving features has escalated. This shift aligns with industry trends, where competitors like Huawei, Xpeng, and Li Auto are integrating smart driving functionalities into their high-end vehicles.
To accelerate its smart driving initiatives, BYD has heavily invested in in-house research and development, bolstering its team with over 4,000 smart driving professionals, including more than 3,000 software engineers. This robust investment underscores BYD’s commitment to mastering smart driving technologies internally.
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At a recent event in Shenzhen, BYD unveiled its Xuanji Architecture, positioning it as the cornerstone of its vehicle intelligence strategy. Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu emphasized the company’s dedication to smart driving innovation, pledging a substantial investment of RMB 100 billion in intelligence to drive future new energy vehicle (NEV) development.
In line with its strategic vision, BYD intends to integrate its advanced intelligent driving system as a standard feature in models priced above RMB 300,000, with optional availability in vehicles priced between RMB 200,000 and RMB 300,000.
BYD’s ambitious plans also extend to leveraging its in-house developed algorithms, gradually phasing out partnerships with external suppliers. The company aims to implement its proprietary algorithms in select versions of the 2024 facelifts of the Han and Tang models within the Dynasty lineup.
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While BYD has previously collaborated with external suppliers for smart driving systems, the increasing importance of such features has prompted the company to expand its reliance on internally developed solutions.
As BYD continues its transition towards smart driving, the forthcoming deployment of its in-house ADAS feature signifies a significant milestone in the company’s quest for innovation and technological leadership in the electric vehicle sector.
