First ever in-car drone launcher unveiled

In what has been billed as the first innovation of its kind, BYD and drone firm DJI have announced the Lingyuan “in-car drone system.” It combines roof-mounted landing pads, 4K cameras, and other technology to enable drivers to dynamically launch and retrieve flying drones.

The drone can take off and land while you’re driving at speeds of up to 25kph, thanks to a “retractable helipad” which is fitted to ensure the car meets height restrictions. The drone can then track and follow your car while filming it, and quickly return to the vehicle with the press of a single button.

Automatic fast charging is offered as standard, with a stated charging time of 20% to 80% in 30 minutes. BYD even claims the system can be integrated with a 4K camera in the roof-mounted “hangar,” so that you can gain perspective on the drone from two different angles at once using an app. It will also include a number of AI-powered video templates and video editing tools.

Priced at 16.000 yuan (approx €2,056), the Lingyuan will be available as an add-on for BYD cars and those of its sub-brands, including Yangwang and Denza.

Speaking at the launch, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said: “The collaboration between BYD and DJI is far more than simply placing a drone in a car. Instead, we developed the entire integration system from the ground up, designing and developing it from scratch to achieve deep fusion between the vehicle and the drone.”

He added: “This breakthrough results in a synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Besides filming car commercials and social media videos – or gaining a birds-eye view on traffic jams – it’s not yet clear what this technology could really be useful for. However, BYD believes it’s the first step towards “large-scale adoption of intelligent in-car drone systems.” It will only be available in mainland China, and there are not yet any confirmed plans to sell the product overseas.

Source: Information per e-mail