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
China is willing to continue working with Russia within the framework of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, maintain timely communication on major issues, and make joint efforts to help de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, safeguard regional peace and stability, and uphold common security for the world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should uphold fairness and justice on matters of principle, adopt an objective and balanced approach, and seek greater understanding and support from the international community, Wang said.
Noting that China has consistently advocated the resolution of international and regional hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation, Wang said that the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, hostilities are still escalating, and the fundamental solution to ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz lies in achieving an early ceasefire and bringing the war to an end.
For his part, Lavrov said Russia is highly concerned about the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Regarding the ongoing conflict and the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Lavrov said Russia maintains that military operations must be stopped immediately and efforts should return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement to address the root causes of the conflict, and the UN Security Council should play a constructive role in this regard.
Russia stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with China and continue to make efforts and speak out in support of a ceasefire and the end of the war, he said.
China willing to cooperate with Russia to de-escalate Mideast situation: FM
