In recent times, the automotive industry has witnessed significant advancements, particularly in the realm of intelligent driving technology. Leading this innovation is BYD, a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, which recently unveiled its ambitious intelligent driving strategy centered on the "Tian Shen Zhi Yan" (Heavenly Eye) system. Since its announcement, this initiative has garnered substantial attention across both media and social platforms. The buzz surrounding the Heavenly Eye technology has remained fervent even after a week following its initial reveal, raising numerous questions among consumers and enthusiasts alike about its production readiness, pricing, and varying capabilities across different specifications.
One of the most pressing inquiries pertains to the availability of the Heavenly Eye C model. To clarify, BYD has confirmed that the Heavenly Eye C was launched with immediate availability for purchase, with several customers already having taken delivery of their vehicles from local dealerships. Notably, the other versions, the Heavenly Eye A and B, have already been integrated into BYD's high-end models, including the Yangwang and Tengshi brands.
Another area of interest is pricing; consumers are keen to understand the investment required for the Heavenly Eye C system. Here, BYD has made a striking move by offering it—yes, free of charge! This is an unprecedented decision in the industry, emphasizing their commitment to making high-level intelligent driving accessible. The company has launched a total of 21 different vehicle models featuring the system simultaneously, ensuring that consumers can experience advanced autonomous driving without additional costs. This approach has been made possible due to BYD's extensive in-house technology development and vertical integration capabilities, allowing them to break traditional pricing barriers while optimizing performance.
The strength of the Heavenly Eye technology lies not merely in its availability and pricing but in its robust performance capabilities. Utilizing a comprehensive intelligent architecture, the system employs a sophisticated end-to-end model that places it firmly among the top tier of intelligent driving solutions available today. BYD's commitment to rigorous testing and real-world application has resulted in an impressive network of user data, supporting its claims of performance superiority. Just last December, BYD rolled out the CNOA (City No Map Autonomous Navigation) feature across national markets, making it one of the pioneering enterprises in this regard. Furthermore, a recent long-distance test dubbed "Yangtze Smart Journey—5000 Miles," showcased the system's reliability over various challenging conditions including highways, urban environments, and rural roads, effectively demonstrating its high-level driving capabilities.
As consumers dive deeper into understanding the differences among the Heavenly Eye A, B, and C models, they will find that each version is tailored to distinct market segments. The Heavenly Eye A is the flagship option, equipped with an advanced three-laser configuration (DiPilot 600) that provides unparalleled perception and processing capabilities through a fusion of multiple radar and camera technologies. This makes it adept at handling a wide variety of driving environments and scenarios, thereby supporting both urban navigation and high-speed travel seamlessly.
On the other hand, the Heavenly Eye B (DiPilot 300) holds its ground as a competitive system that meets industry standards while incorporating robust intelligent driving capabilities suitable for urban and highway driving scenarios. Meanwhile, the more affordable Heavenly Eye C (DiPilot 100) reflects BYD’s vision of democratizing intelligent driving technology, featuring a multi-sensor framework that guarantees a wide range of functionalities at an accessible price point.
An interesting aspect of BYD's strategy is how it is positioning itself in the more extensive context of intelligent driving technology in the automotive sector. As more companies enter this arena, BYD stands out due to its three main advantages. Firstly, it boasts a remarkable data advantage. In the realm of intelligent driving, data serves as a cornerstone necessary for refining algorithms and enhancing technology. With over 4.4 million vehicles sold that utilize advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), BYD has access to an impressive volume of operational data. The scale of training miles added daily—up to 72 million kilometers a day—is staggering, presenting a wealth of information transformative for smart driving technology.
Secondly, BYD takes great pride in its extensive research and development (R&D) capabilities, housing the world’s largest team of R&D engineers with over 110,000 personnel, including a robust group of more than 5,000 dedicated to intelligent driving. This capacity allows BYD to maintain significant control over both hardware and software components, enabling rapid innovation to cater to specific market demands.
Lastly, BYD benefits from its extensive manufacturing infrastructure, which is critical for facilitating the smooth application of intelligent driving technologies. This comprehensive manufacturing system not only ensures automotive production efficiency but also fosters collaboration across the supply chain. Such synergy—between component suppliers of high-precision mapping, sensors, and downstream automotive sales and service—enables the swift integration and deployment of technologies like the Heavenly Eye.
With these distinct advantages of data prowess, extensive R&D capability, and a comprehensive manufacturing network, BYD has firmly planted itself within the intelligent driving landscape. As the firm continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it is well-positioned to seize vital opportunities within the burgeoning intelligent driving sector, paving the way for the future of mobility. As consumers become more aware and educated on these technologies, it is likely that BYD will emerge as a leader in setting new standards and expectations for intelligent driving, propelling the entire automotive industry towards a more automated and connected future.
June 8, 2025