BYD and DJI united: "Lingyuan" Brings Aerial Vision to Everyday Vehicles

On March 2, 2025, BYD and DJI unveiled their new vehicle-integrated drone system called "Lingyuan" (Spirit Hawk) at an event in Shenzhen.

The Lingyuan system gives vehicles a vertical perspective through seamless car-drone integration. It will be available across all BYD brands, with different versions for different models. The battery-swap version will primarily appear on premium YANGWANG vehicles, while the fast-charging version will be offered on BYD Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, and Fangcheng-Leopard lines. The complete fast-charging Lingyuan system costs 16,000 yuan (about $2,280). At the launch, the Fangcheng-Leopard 8 drone edition became the first model to feature the system, with prices ranging from 395,800 to 423,800 yuan.

source: BYD

From Luxury Feature to Standard Equipment

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu emphasized at the event: "Our partnership with DJI isn't simply about putting a drone on a car. We built an integrated system from scratch that creates true synergy between vehicle and drone." BYD's manufacturing capabilities are helping to scale up production of this innovative technology.

As the first automaker to mass-produce vehicle-mounted drones, BYD's Lingyuan launch will introduce this technology to a much wider audience, potentially transforming it from a specialty feature to standard equipment in the future.

DJI President Luo Zhenhua added, "Technology shouldn't just be toys for the few, but tools that benefit everyone." This collaboration represents both a product partnership and the creation of a new travel ecosystem.

Capturing Professional Content on the Go

The name "Lingyuan" reflects the system's eagle-eye vision combined with agile, intelligent capabilities.

source: BYD

Before this innovation, capturing quality travel moments required bulky equipment, and spontaneous shots were often missed. Post-processing was also time-consuming and tedious.

Lingyuan solves these challenges with its integrated system. BYD Senior VP Yang Dongsheng explained that it features the world's first retractable vehicle landing pad, on-board positioning module, 4K roof camera, and custom controller. The system enables dynamic takeoff and landing, one-touch return, follow mode, and convenient storage with fast charging. With 30 shooting templates and smart algorithms, users can create professional content with minimal effort.

Even solo travelers can now capture stunning footage. One person, one car, one drone becomes equivalent to a full production crew with the user as director.

Building a Global Tech Ecosystem

The BYD-DJI partnership is both open and mutually reinforcing. BYD uses the vehicle as a central platform to connect with partners across different fields in its "intelligent vehicle+" ecosystem.

The company has formed strategic partnerships with numerous global tech firms, embracing industry collaboration to create what it calls a borderless "technology friend circle."

source: BYD

Three Tech Giants in One Vehicle

The newly launched Fangcheng-Leopard 8 drone edition showcases technologies from three major companies: BYD's electric drive off-road platform, Huawei's Qiankun intelligent driving system, and DJI's Lingyuan drone technology. This combination delivers a unique blend of rugged capability and cutting-edge intelligence for adventure-seeking drivers.