BYD, China’s largest electric car maker, has just announced a new driver-assistance system called “God’s Eye.” This system is designed to help cars drive themselves more safely, and it’s being offered at no extra cost on many of their vehicles, even the cheaper ones.
Here are the main points:
God’s Eye System: This new system can help cars drive on highways and in cities. It uses cameras and special sensors called LIDAR to detect objects around the car. Some versions of the system can change lanes and drive without the driver needing to do much, similar to Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” technology.
Three Levels of Automation:
Tier C: This is the basic level and works on highways. It may get updates later to drive in cities.
Tier B: This level adds extra sensors and works on both highways and city streets, and it’s found in more expensive BYD models.
Tier A: This is the most advanced version, with multiple LIDAR systems, and it’s available in BYD’s luxury vehicles. It’s close to what’s called Level 3 self-driving, where the car can handle most driving tasks.
Affordable Technology: The exciting part is that BYD is including this advanced driving technology in their cars at no extra cost. Even their cheaper models, like the Seagull, which costs around $10,000, will have this technology.
Global Expansion: BYD’s technology is being released in China first, but it will also be available in other countries. However, in the EU (Europe), the car will still need a driver to stay alert and ready to take control when necessary, due to strict rules about self-driving cars.
Partnerships: BYD has teamed up with the drone company DJI to put drones in their cars. These drones can give drivers stunning aerial views. They’ve also added smart voice technology to help with controlling the car using your voice.
BYD is trying to make advanced car technology available to everyone, not just for expensive luxury cars. While Tesla’s self-driving technology is not yet approved in China, BYD’s “God’s Eye” system might give them an edge in the race to build self-driving cars. However, it remains to be seen how well the technology will work in real life, especially after previous issues with BYD’s other systems. Still, this move could make BYD a bigger player in the global electric car market.