SHENZHEN-BASED automaker BYD has partnered with Shenzhen-headquartered drone giant DJI to launch Lingyuan — an intelligent vehicle-mounted drone system — in Pingshan District on Sunday.

According to Wang Chuanfu, chairman and president of BYD, the system, jointly developed by the two firms, enables vehicles to obtain a vertical field of view and integrates the vehicle with a drone. The system will be available across all BYD brand models.

The fast-charging version of the Lingyuan intelligent vehicle-mounted drone system is priced at 16,000 yuan (US$2,200). During the launch event, the Fangcheng Leopard 8, equipped with the unmanned aircraft, was also unveiled, with prices ranging from 395,800 to 423,800 yuan.

As explained by Yang Dongsheng, BYD’s senior vice president, the Lingyuan system features a retractable car-mounted landing pad, enabling automated takeoff and landing, synchronized follow-shooting, and rapid storage and charging of the drone.

The Lingyuan system is available in two versions. The battery swap version, equipped with the DJI Mavic 3 drone, allows for automatic battery swapping and continuous battery life. It is primarily installed on BYD’s Yangwang brand. The fast-charging version, equipped with the DJI Air 3S customized vehicle-mounted drone, is mainly installed on BYD’s Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, and Fangcheng Leopard models.

“The collaboration between BYD and DJI is far more than just placing a drone in a car,” said Wang during the launch event. “Starting from the underlying technology, we have designed and developed a vehicle integration system, successfully achieving a deep integration of the vehicle and the unmanned aircraft.”

BYD, founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, has been at the forefront of China’s new energy vehicle sector. In 2024, the company sold 4.27 million cars.

Established in 2006, DJI has grown into the dominant force in the global drone industry, with its products widely used in fields like filmmaking, agriculture, search and rescue, and energy infrastructure. (Chen Siqi)