BYD ready to launch own smart driving system this November

According to the latest reports, Chinese automaker BYD is preparing to launch its own smart driving system. This would be a significant step for the company, which has so far relied on third-party solutions for its advanced driver-assistance systems.

Slated for release as early as November, BYD's own algorithms will power the company's DiPilot smart driving platform.

DiPilot, BYD's proprietary computing platform, will come in various configurations depending on the available processing power. The DiPilot 100, designed for systems with 100 TOPS (trillion operations per second) or less, will use Nvidia's Drive Orin N chip and Horizon Robotics' Journey 5 chip. For more capable vehicles, the DiPilot 300 and DiPilot 600 will leverage the Nvidia Orin X chip, offering up to 508 TOPS of computing power.

The move towards in-house development clearly points to BYD's ambition to control its technological destiny and compete head-to-head with industry giants like Tesla, which has long championed its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. While BYD has been collaborating with various chip manufacturers, including Nvidia, Horizon Robotics, and Black Sesame Technologies, it has reportedly invested the most effort in developing its own algorithms based on Nvidia's Drive Orin platform, citing its maturity and stability.

The initial rollout of BYD's in-house algorithms will focus on models priced above RMB 200,000 (approximately $28,120). However, the company plans to democratize this technology, aiming to equip vehicles in the RMB 100,000 price range with high-level smart driving capabilities by 2025. This is an ambitious goal, and it could significantly impact the adoption of advanced driver-assistance features in the mass market.

BYD's rapid progress in the field of smart driving can be attributed to several factors. For starters, the supply chain has matured, and then we have the acquisition of experienced teams from other automotive companies. All that enabled BYD to accelerate its development process. Coupled with the recent organizational changes that have streamlined its efforts, BYD ended up with a far more focused approach to innovation.

Beyond algorithms, BYD is reportedly exploring the development of its own smart driving chip, starting with low to medium positioning. This vertical integration strategy will inevitably enhance BYD's control over its technology stack and potentially reduce its reliance on external suppliers.

BYD's first step into in-house smart driving technology comes on the heels of the launch of its Xuanji Architecture, a core component of the company's vehicle intelligence strategy. The new architecture, unveiled in January, aims to integrate various technologies, including artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity, and smart dashboard functions, to create a more seamless and intuitive driving experience.

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