BYD Set to Roll Out Its Own Smart Driving Chip
Exciting news from the world of electric vehicles! BYD, one of the leading car manufacturers, is reportedly developing its own smart driving chip that promises a whopping 80 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second) of computing power. This chip is expected to feature in BYD models priced between RMB 80,000 (around $11,060) and a yet-to-be-determined upper limit.
As many of you know, the competition in the EV space is heating up, with other players like Nio and Xpeng already stepping into the chip development arena. According to a recent report from 36kr, BYD is taking significant strides in advancing vehicle intelligence through this ambitious project. A dedicated team at BYD Semiconductor is spearheading the effort, with some technical support from suppliers.
What does this mean for consumers? Well, BYD is gearing up to roll out several models with intelligent driving systems in the next year, and there are hints that even the most affordable options will feature this advanced tech. Zhang Zhuo, the general manager of BYD’s Ocean series sales division, has expressed hopes of integrating the smart driving system in vehicles priced around RMB RMB 150,000—potentially within the next 2-3 years!
Particularly interesting is the upcoming variant of the BYD Seagull, set to launch next year, which will come equipped with this new smart driving system. The Seagull is already known as the most budget-friendly model from BYD, originally debuting at a starting price of RMB 69,800.
In a twist, some reports suggest that BYD will continue utilizing Nvidia’s Orin N or Horizon Robotics’ J6E chips for models priced in the RMB 100,000 range—offering fantastic features like highway Navigate on Autopilot (NOA). However, the long-term plan is to transition entirely to their in-house developed chip, which will ultimately allow for smoother integration of both hardware and software.
Going the in-house chip route is a savvy move for BYD, as it not only paves the way for faster developments in tech but also helps in cutting down production costs. This strategy could solidify BYD’s competitive pricing advantage in the EV market.
Adding more excitement, BYD’s sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao has just unveiled the Bao 8—a hybrid hardcore off-road SUV—marking the first model to showcase Huawei’s driver assistance system. And let’s not forget, BYD has just introduced its own smart cockpit chip, developed in-house and built on a 4 nm process, a clear push to establish its footprint in the smart vehicle ecosystem.
With companies like Nio and Xpeng seemingly already ahead in their chip development processes, it will be interesting to see how BYD’s efforts unfold. The race towards smarter, more efficient electric vehicles is on, and BYD’s new developments promise to shake things up!
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting evolution in the world of EVs!