Two leading Chinese companies - BYD, a top electric vehicle manufacturer, and DJI, the world's premier drone maker - jointly unveiled the world's first integrated vehicle-mounted drone system Ling Yuan on Sunday.
This makes BYD the first automaker globally to mass-produce cars equipped with onboard drone technology.
Drivers in BYD cars with integrated drones can launch them with a single click to film road trips, monitor traffic, or assist in emergency situations.
"The cooperation between BYD and DJI is not about simply placing a drone on a vehicle, but about rebooting vehicle design from the ground up, achieving deep fusion between the car and the drone," said Wang Chuanfu, chairman and CEO of the BYD Group.
Industry observers see this as a bold step in integrating digital and automotive technologies, opening new possibilities for smart mobility and aerial applications.
"This is a cross-industry collaboration between the digital and automotive sectors, which is incredibly cool," said Yu Long, a tech blogger.
This project drew from a joint innovation fund of 200 million yuan, or 27.5 million U.S. dollars, involving 2,000 engineers across 185 research and development breakthroughs.
"We're seeing a new trend in Chinese enterprises. That is a shift from isolated operations to collaborative innovations among Chinese enterprises. This trend reflects growing confidence among major firms and marks a promising start," said Cao Zhongxiong, assistant president of the China Development Institute.
BYD and DJI's groundbreaking vehicle-mounted drone system showcases the soaring ambitions of China's private sector, offering drivers thrilling new perspectives and hinting at a future where technology transcends earthly boundaries.
BYD and DJI launch world's first vehicle-mounted drone system
Venezuelans have strongly slammed the United States for imposing a "complete maritime blockade" on tankers transporting Venezuelan energy. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sent a message to the United Nations and heads of state of countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region, condemning the U.S. for escalating extremely serious aggressions that not only affect Venezuela but also threaten the stability of the entire region and the international system as a whole.
In the letter, Maduro warned that these attacks will impact "the supply of oil and energy, increase instability in international markets, and damage the economies of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world." The Venezuelan president called for unity among all parties to confront the U.S. military threats and acts of piracy, condemning the U.S. for violating international law and infringing on human rights.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil read the letter on state television from the Venezuelan foreign ministry headquarters on Monday. The letter stated that condoning such unilateral actions by the United States would undermine regional stability and global energy security.
As scheduled, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday.
"The entire world is aware that Venezuela possesses oil reserves, and the United States covets our resources," said a citizen in Caracas.
"This constitutes a form of colonialism that seeks to impose its own standards on other countries and exert control over neighboring nations. It represents a new variant of the Monroe Doctrine," said another citizen in Caracas.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a "full and total blockade" of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, declaring Maduro's government a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
The Pentagon has deployed around a dozen warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea, which shares a significant amount of coastline with Venezuela. The region has not seen such a massive U.S. military presence for at least three decades.
Venezuela has repeatedly accused Washington of seeking regime change and military expansion in Latin America, condemning the U.S. navy's interception of oil tankers as "piracy."
Venezuelans condemn U.S. piracy actions, call for solidarity
