BYD, a leading Chinese carmaker, is making strides in developing its own smart driving chip with an impressive computing power of 80 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second). This chip is set to be integrated into BYD’s vehicle models that fall within the price range of RMB 80,000 to RMB 300,000.
According to a report from local media outlet 36kr, BYD’s Semiconductor team is spearheading the development of this smart driving chip, with support from various suppliers offering technical assistance. The company’s overarching goal is to enhance vehicle intelligence across its product lineup, with plans to introduce variants equipped with intelligent driving systems in all its vehicles next year.
Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD’s Ocean series sales division, has expressed the company’s ambition to incorporate the in-house developed smart driving system in models priced at around RMB 150,000 or even lower within the next 2-3 years. In a recent announcement, Zhang revealed that BYD will introduce a variant of the Seagull model next year featuring a smart driving system.
The Seagull, known as BYD’s most affordable model, has garnered attention for its accessibility, with the 2025 Seagull starting at a modest price of RMB 69,800. Reports suggest that BYD may initially utilize Nvidia’s Orin N or Horizon Robotics’ J6E smart driving chip in its RMB 100,000 class models, offering advanced features like highway NOA (Navigate on Autopilot).
Looking ahead, BYD aims to eventually transition all its smart driving chips to the in-house developed 80 TOPS chip. This strategic move will enable BYD to achieve seamless integration between hardware solutions and software algorithms, leading to enhanced performance and cost efficiency.
In a recent product launch event, BYD’s sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao unveiled the Bao 8, a hybrid hardcore off-road SUV model equipped with Huawei’s driver assistance system. Additionally, BYD showcased its BYD 9000 smart cockpit chip, which boasts cutting-edge technology developed in-house on a 4 nm process.
The development of smart driving chips is a key focus for automakers like Nio and Xpeng, with both companies nearing mass production of their own chips. By venturing into the realm of smart driving chip development, BYD is poised to solidify its position as an innovative player in the electric vehicle market.
This article was originally published by Phate Zhang on CnEVPost, a prominent platform dedicated to sharing news and insights on new energy vehicles from China.
