Chinese Automakers Integrate Drones into Electric Vehicles for Enhanced Content Creation
In a bid to stand out in the fiercely competitive electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese automakers are beginning to incorporate camera drones into their latest models. This innovative feature aims to provide owners with a unique way to capture stunning footage of their vehicles in action.
Dongfeng’s M-Hero 917 SUV: A Drone-Equipped Quasi-Military Vehicle
The state-owned Dongfeng offers an optional drone package for its $98,000 M-Hero 917 SUV, which costs an additional $14,000. This feature has drawn comparisons to drone-equipped quasi-military vehicles, and some speculate that grassroots crowdfunding efforts, or dronations, could potentially finance a fleet of such vehicles.
Challenges and Opportunities for Drone Integration in China
Shanghai-based automotive journalist Mark Rainford of Inside China Auto shares his thoughts on the integration of drones with cars:
As a content creator myself, drone integration with cars is interesting. I have plenty of experience in shooting cars with drones in China, and it is a fraught and difficult task since street furniture in the country often involves trees alongside the street and cables that cross it. To avoid these, you need [the drone’s] obstacle-avoidance turned on, which limits the speeds at which you can record.
Despite the limitations of consumer drones, which typically can’t exceed 27 mph when flying autonomously, Rainford predicts that more Chinese automakers will follow suit in integrating drones into their new cars. He believes that such collaborations can help set a product apart in the highly competitive market, regardless of their real-life practicality.
Potential Future Applications of Car-Integrated Drones
While the current focus of Chinese automakers is on the content creation potential of onboard drones, future applications could include eye-in-the-sky monitoring of traffic congestion. However, aviation authorities worldwide would likely take considerable time to approve such use.
BYD and Lynk & Co Showcase Drone Integration Concepts
BYD, the world’s largest maker of electric vehicles, recently unveiled its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) integrated into a Yangwang U8 SUV at its global headquarters in Shenzhen. A video advertisement demonstrates the drone’s ability to autonomously film the SUV while navigating obstacles and returning to its charging bay within the vehicle.
Similarly, Lynk & Co, a brand under Geely, showcased a concept car with a built-in drone at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, although it remained a computer-generated concept at the time.
The idea of integrating drones with cars is not entirely new, with patents for such concepts dating back to 2016 from automakers like Ford and General Motors.
As Chinese automakers continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the EV market, the integration of drones into vehicles may become an increasingly common feature, offering owners a unique way to capture and share their driving experiences.
2 Comments
Who needs spy movies when electric cars now come with drones!
Just when you thought your neighbor couldn’t get any nosier, enter drone-equipped electric cars.