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Alejandro Alcolea
WriterWriter at Xataka. I studied education and music, but since 2014 I've been writing about my passion: video games and technology. I specialize in product analysis, photography, and video. My body is 70% coffee.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by cars in movies and on television. Knight Rider’s iconic K.I.T.T. no longer feels so futuristic, especially with the rise of voice-controlled vehicles. However, James Bond’s Aston Martins still astonish me. I find them captivating not just for their stunning designs over the years, but for the incredible gadgets they feature and the hidden compartments that can launch devices or reveal weapons.
Much like the talking car, the concept of a vehicle deploying a drone is becoming a reality. In fact, BYD recently introduced a line of vehicles that can transport and deploy a DJI drone. While some Chinese manufacturers have experimented with combining cars and drones, BYD’s offering feels more practical.
The big question remains: What do we need to launch a drone from a car for?
This Is Lingyuan
BYD has unveiled Lingyuan, a system designed to fully integrate a drone into its vehicles. This system functions like a roof box and is equipped with location and guidance sensors and a hatch that allows the drone to deploy. It sounds like something out of a movie.
While this “helipad” may be housed in a roof box, the company claims it can also be integrated directly into the top of larger vehicles. This could potentially minimize the impact on the vehicle’s aerodynamics. The system is engineered so that the vehicle’s height doesn’t exceed 6.73 feet.
There are currently two versions available. The first version is the Lingyuan Battery Swap Edition, designed for Yangwang models, BYD’s luxury brand. This package includes a DJI Mavic 3 and is the premium option. The second version, known as the Lingyuan Fast Charging Edition, is intended for Denza and BYD cars and comes with a DJI Air 3S.
“The collaboration between BYD and DJI is far more than just placing a drone in a car,” WYD president Wang Chuanfu said at the launch event. He added that the collaboration “involves starting from fundamental technology, designing and developing a fully integrated system from the ground up.” According to Wang, this has “successfully achieved a deep integration of cars and drones.”
These drones can take off while the car is in motion at speeds of up to 15 mph and can be commanded to follow the vehicle at speeds of up to 33 mph. Additionally, the drones can charge while the car is stationed, recovering from 20% to 80% battery in just half an hour.
Recreation and Beyond
BYD aims for this initiative to be a pivotal step in advancing the industrialization and widespread adoption of smart drone systems in vehicles. However, as mentioned earlier, the key question is: What would drivers actually use something like this for?
According to the company, the compartment for the drone features a wide camera with 4K resolution, capable of recording alongside the drone’s camera to provide a dual perspective. Additionally, the Lingyuan app includes an editing tool that uses algorithms to automate video editing, offering a selection of 30 templates.
The brand encourages customers to capture their adventures in the vehicle. However, I can envision two more practical and everyday uses. First, when navigating unfamiliar roads, stopping to launch the drone could be beneficial for exploring the area. Second, if the drone were lighter or capable of flying in urban settings, it’d be an excellent tool for locating parking.
This technology is currently only available in mainland China, and BYD hasn’t yet commented on plans to introduce the platform in other countries.
Images | BYD
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