Pictured here at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show, BYD’s Han electric vehicle is one of China’s most popular new energy vehicles.
Evelyn Chen | CNBC
Shenzhen, China — electric car giant BYD relies on new driver-assist technologies to make the car’s ride smoother.
BYD backed by Warren Buffett Berkshire Hathawayon Monday unveiled a new technical system that stabilizes the car’s ride over uneven terrain, sharp turns and shallow water. The shock-absorbing technology will feature in the company’s recently launched premium brand Yanwan.
BYD founder Wang Chuanfu said in Mandarin at Monday’s launch event, according to CNBC’s translation, “Traditionally, luxury cars were determined by brand and history. , what technology and product issues it is.”
He claimed that the technology represented a “breakthrough” that “leads and surpasses foreign technology levels.”
The update comes ahead of next week’s Shanghai Motor Show, where many Chinese auto companies will make product and model announcements.
According to BYD, some of the technical systems use the same “lidar” sensors used in driver assistance. Short for “light detection and ranging,” lidar uses lasers to create detailed maps of surrounding areas.
In a release, the automaker said the new “DiSus” system “provides a foundation for future development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).”
The company has taken a relatively cautious approach to self-driving technology.
When asked about “smart driving” during a conference call with investors in late March, BYD management said self-driving cars still face the challenge of determining liability in the event of an accident. I was. Still, management says advanced driver assistance technology has the potential to improve overall safety. This is according to last month’s conference call filings accessed through the Wind Information Database.
The industry as a whole has worked to balance ambitious driver assistance options with measured safety protocols. EV reader Tesla recalled more than 360,000 vehicles in February for its urban driving assistance software. can cause crashes.
Its city assisted driving software Chinese Tesla drivers are not available.
BYD
It wasn’t immediately clear how Tesla’s shock-absorbing capabilities compare to BYD’s, but other Chinese car companies are considering similar technology.
In September, Nio’s investment fund, Nio Capital, $39 million funding round Integrated with Boston-based ClearMotion, which develops software for active suspension.
Many details are still unknown
BYD’s Wang didn’t say how much it would cost to use the company’s new DiSus system or when it would be widely available.
Two compatible vehicles — Yangwang’s upcoming U8 SUV and Denza N7 SUV — have not yet been delivered.auto giant Daimler It has a small stake in BYD’s Denza brand.
BYD said some of its existing Han, Tang and Denza models are set to receive the new technology through over-the-air upgrades.
The new system comes in three versions – ‘Damping’, ‘Air’ and ‘Hydraulic’ – and is configured to integrate individually with specific BYD models.
BYD announced that it sold 264,647 fully electric passenger vehicles in the first quarter. Over 80% increase from 1 year agoSales of hybrid passenger vehicles doubled to 283,270 units in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
Teslafor its part said it offered more 422,000 vehicles worldwide In the first quarter, without sharing a regional breakdown. China typically accounts for her more than 20% of Tesla’s revenue.
