Last year, BYD announced a feature that feels straight out of a sci-fi flick: a roof-mounted drone docking station. It’s called the Ling Yuan system, and it promises to make your drive feel like a mix of National Geographic and Top Gun—minus the need for a fighter jet.
This cool tech will set you back ¥16,000 (£1,700), but that buys you a 4K drone, a sleek docking station, and the ability to capture stunning aerial footage of your everyday adventures.
First teased on the Yangwang U8 SUV in 2023, the Bao 8 SUV from the Fang Cheng Bao brand is the first to actually offer it. Don’t worry—BYD isn’t just targeting tech nerds or the super-rich. They’re aiming to make this sky-high gadget available to more buyers, so expect it to roll out across other BYD models in the future.
Developed with DJI, the Ling Yuan system includes a 4K drone and a compact docking station that takes up just 0.29 m² (3.1 square feet) on the vehicle’s roof. The hangar is sleek and aerodynamic, standing just 215 mm (8.5 inches) tall.
Here’s the fun part: You can deploy and control the drone while the car is moving—up to 25 km/h (16 mph). The drone can even follow your vehicle at speeds of up to 54 km/h (34 mph), capturing epic shots whether you're cruising the highway or taking on off-road trails.
Once you’re done filming, the drone returns to the roof hangar, where it automatically recharges. A 20-80% charge only takes 30 minutes, so you're always ready for the next flight.
You can control the drone via the car’s infotainment system or the Ling Yuan app on your phone. Plus, AI helps you organise and edit the footage, making it easy to share your aerial shots on social media.
Aside from the Yangwang U8 and Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, other BYD models like the Bao 5, Titanium 3, Denza N9, BYD Tang L, and BYD Sealion 07 DM-i are also getting this system. Expect the list to grow as more models add it.
For now, it’s unclear if the Ling Yuan system will make it outside China, but if you’ve been dreaming of filming your next road trip from above, you might just need to plan a little international adventure.
