BYD To Offer Launchable Drone System For Its Vehicles

Chinese automaker BYD makes unusual automotive history with the company confirming it will be the first automaker in the world to offer a production drone and docking station for its vehicle lineup

BYD is making history with the Chinese automaker being the first in the world to offer a launchable drone system for its vehicles.

The Chinese auto industry is rapidly emerging as a potent dragon thanks to strong sales as well as a growing pool of electric vehicle offerings. Chinese automaker BYD has been a key figure in this surge of growth with the company unleashing a fleet of electrified vehicles that appeal to a wide array of vehicle segments and have many automakers abroad fearful of some of the advantages that they have over their own vehicles.

The company is now looking to the sky and is making history with the firm confirming it will be the first company to offer buyers a portable drone launch system for some of its cars with the unusual piece of optional equipment attempting to appeal to a niche but growing sector of the consumer market that has embraced the technology in recent years.

Rewriting how the world looks at drones

The drone is housed in a special hangar mounted on the roof and the drone is not only capable of being controlled from inside the vehicle but can even follow it while it’s in motion.

BYD’s system is called the “LingYuan” and is designed to seamlessly integrate drones and vehicles together. In this case, the system consists of a docking station that’s typically hidden away out of sight under specially designed roof panels. When the occupants choose to use the drone, the press of a button opens up the roof-mounted drone hangar and the drone rises up on its platform ready to take flight.

The system was developed as part of a collaboration between BYD and Chinese drone maker DJI with the latter firm including a powerful 4K drone that comes with a slick camera system. The drone can also be operated from inside the vehicle while it’s in motion and can also follow the vehicle at speeds up to 34 mph. Controlling the drone from inside the vehicle is done through the infotainment system or the Ling Yuan phone app with the drone automatically charging after it returns to the hangar. AI software is also bundled in too with the software playing a role in helping to organize pictures and footage from the flight to help share it on social media.

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Drone system raises concerns

the capabilities of this system will add more fuel to the concerns of regulators and foreign automakers who worry about China’s potential move into foreign auto markets.

For now, the drone system is only available in China and will be exclusive to the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8 SUV but BYD promises that the system will eventually make its way to other BYD models and brands within its broader empire. The option costs ¥16,000 ($2,200) but look for that price to still appeal to tech-savvy buyers including drone enthusiasts who might want to have something like this on their vehicle for trail work or weekend runs to the beach.

The appearance of this system could also add fuel to the concerns of other automakers and countries like the United States who might see the LingYuan system as a vehicle for potential spying operations and a flying threat to national security especially since the drone can be quietly controlled from inside the vehicle which can also be hidden away from prying eyes while the drone is gathering information on a sensitive target before it returns to the roof mounted hangar and disappears from view. At the same time, other automakers could also use the opportunity to take notes on the system and see if perhaps they can take advantage and offer something similar that would not only comply with various regulations but also expand their reach into the mobility market with the drones potentially being a game changer in the market if they find ways to lower the costs to consumers.