BYD Co., Ltd. unveiled the Xuanji A3 on May 28, describing it as China’s first in-house 4nm smart-driving chip [1].
The move signals a shift toward vertical integration, as the company aims to reduce reliance on external chip suppliers while pushing for higher levels of vehicle autonomy.
Presented at the company's headquarters in Shenzhen, the Xuanji A3 is designed as a three-chip cluster [1]. This architecture is intended to serve as the core of a centralized computing platform that unifies the vehicle's cockpit, propulsion systems, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) [1].
Regarding performance, the chip's computing power is reported at up to 2,100 TOPS [1]. However, other reports place the figure at 700 TOPS [3]. The high processing capacity is intended to enable Level-3 and Level-4 autonomous driving capabilities across the manufacturer's vehicle lineup [1].
"The Xuanji A3 delivers up to 2,100 TOPS, enabling Level-3 and Level-4 autonomous driving across our vehicle lineup," Wang Tao, head of autonomous driving at BYD, said [1].
Beyond raw speed, the chip focuses on energy efficiency. Because it is built on a 4nm process, the hardware consumes approximately 20% less power than previous generations [2]. This reduction in power draw is critical for maintaining the range of electric vehicles while running complex AI workloads.
"Built on a 4nm process, this chip consumes about 20% less power than our previous generation, giving us a clear efficiency advantage," Li Ming, chief technology officer at BYD, said [2].
By integrating these functions into a single platform, BYD seeks to improve the overall intelligence of its on-board systems. This centralized approach allows for faster communication between the driving sensors, and the vehicle's mechanical responses.
“The Xuanji A3 is designed as a three-chip cluster.”
BYD's transition to in-house silicon development reduces its vulnerability to global semiconductor supply chain disruptions and trade restrictions. By targeting Level-3 and Level-4 autonomy, the company is positioning itself to compete directly with Tesla and other high-end autonomous driving systems, moving beyond simple driver assistance to more fully autonomous operation.
