Elon Musk is faced with massive losses due to the serious competition against Chinese EV manufacturers, most notably BYD, while the latter company continues to make frighteningly rapid progress in development and technology. One of BYD's latest achievements is its collaboration with DJI, a company specializing in the manufacture of drones, enabling its users to capture the most beautiful videos and photos.
The Lingyuan System for Capturing the Most Beautiful Moments
BYD is known for manufacturing some of the best and highest-quality batteries for electric cars. It is also known for supplying many manufacturers with batteries for their EVs. By offering long-time warranties on its batteries, BYD demonstrates how much they trust their build quality. DJI, on the other hand, is well known for manufacturing the best photography and videography equipment that provide high-quality cinematic videos.
In collaboration, BYD and DJI introduced the Lingyuan System, which connects a drone to an electric car's system and enables it to take off, land, and charge autonomously. This system is located on the roof of the car with a docking station. Currently, this system costs about 16,000 yuan (approx. $2,195) in China, which is a competitive and fantastic price for such a feature. We're used to witnessing luxury and advanced features in expensive cars, accessible only to a specific group of people. However, China has made luxury easier to access for most people, making it possible for them to enjoy their driving experiences because they deserve a taste of it. Who would have thought you can obtain a drone feature at such a price? If it were on a European or other electric cars, it would have been difficult to have such a feature moneywise and due to strict regulations.
How The Drone System Works
You press the launch button on the car’s infotainment screen, and two panels on the roof slide upwards and then to the sides, like a gate opening, revealing a roof-mounted drone, which will likely only operate at low speeds. The goal of this collaboration between the two companies is to transform BYD cars into mobile platforms for entertainment and exploration. Users will be able to capture vertical videos of their journeys. However, this use might be available only in specific areas, away from people, cities, buildings, and electricity setups.
BYD and DJI’s collaboration aims to transform cars into mobile platforms for entertainment and exploration. This will provide a vertical field of view to capture real-time travel moments. Reportedly, it can track the car at speeds up to 54 km/h and can automatically return from a distance of two kilometers, or just over a mile.
Is this technology a Security Nightmare?
As amazing as it is, it could become a nightmare to some countries. Will other companies accept it? Will it have military repercussions? The Russian-Ukrainian war has taught us that drones are a key component of this war. DJI has already faced accusations of collecting sensitive data before. By integrating its technology with BYD, we may see the development of autonomous drones with advanced capabilities, given the power and high quality of BYD's batteries. This could be used in warfare or mass surveillance. Furthermore, this partnership will give China an edge in the technology market beyond its current advantage, which could increase other countries' dependence on Chinese supply chains. Imagine the potential for long-range electric vehicles traveling on the ground, with drones following them.
Mustafa Karim, having been deeply involved in automotive research and development for over ten years. He is fond of Japanese cars, and their precise and energy-efficient features have influenced him. In his spare time, he loves Japanese anime and kendo, drawing inspiration from them for control system research and development. He also often shares cutting-edge automotive knowledge on platforms, contributing to industry innovation and adding strength to automotive development with his expertise.
