What if your car came with its own drone? That’s exactly what’s happening with BYD and DJI’s new Lingyuan system, a first-of-its-kind vehicle-mounted drone platform that lets drivers launch, control, and charge a drone right from their car.
The goal? To make every drive more exciting — whether it’s capturing stunning road trip footage, checking traffic conditions, or even assisting in emergencies.
BYD adds DJI drones to EVs for the ultimate adventure
Unveiled in Shenzhen, the Lingyuan system is built into select BYD electric vehicles (EVs) and comes with:
- A roof-mounted docking station for easy takeoff and landing
- Automated flight tracking to follow your EV on the road
- Rapid charging and storage for seamless operation
- AI-powered video editing to create instant travel highlights
Drivers can launch a DJI drone with a single tap, turning ordinary commutes into cinematic adventures. The system, priced at 16,000 yuan (about $2,195), is currently available in China, but if successful, could expand globally.
BYD, the world’s largest EV maker, is using cutting-edge smart tech to stay ahead in China’s fierce $1.48 trillion auto market. The DJI drone system is part of its strategy to add premium features and boost sales amid an ongoing EV price war.
“The collaboration between BYD and DJI is far more than just placing a drone in a car,” says BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu, adding that the collaboration “involves starting from fundamental technology, designing and developing a fully integrated system from the ground up.”
DJI, a global leader in drone technology, sees this as the start of a new era for smart vehicles. “This partnership makes drones more than just a toy for a small group of enthusiasts,” says DJI president Luo Zhenhua. “It should be a tool that benefits the world.”
The Lingyuan system is already supported on several BYD EV models, including the high-end Yangwang U8, Denza N9, and Sealion 07 DM-i. There’s even a special edition Bao 8 SUV, pre-equipped with the drone system.
BYD is betting big on smart mobility, recently rolling out its “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system for free on 21 models. And it’s not slowing down — JPMorgan Chase predicts BYD will sell 6.5 million cars globally by 2026, up from 4.27 million in 2024.
With BYD pushing EV innovation and DJI leading the drone industry, your next road trip could be taking off in more ways than one!
More: DJI Dock 3: 10 innovations powering the future of drones
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