BYD Co. unveiled a new automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip on May 28 to power its assisted-driving technology [1, 4].
The move marks a significant push by the world's largest electric-vehicle maker to differentiate its software capabilities in an increasingly crowded market [1, 2]. By developing its own high-performance hardware, BYD seeks to increase driver adoption of its three-tier assisted-driving platform, known as "God's Eye" [1, 2].
The new chip is described as China's most advanced or most powerful EV chip [1, 2]. It utilizes a four-nanometer manufacturing process [1] and delivers a performance of 700 TOPS [3]. This hardware upgrade is designed to provide the processing power necessary for complex real-time environmental analysis, and vehicle control.
Beyond high-end systems, BYD plans to use the chip to lower the barrier to advanced safety tech. The company intends to release an electric vehicle equipped with both the new chip and LiDAR technology at a target price of $10,000 [3]. This strategy attempts to bring sophisticated smart-driving features to the mass market.
The announcement comes at a challenging time for the company's commercial performance. Reports indicate that BYD sales have fallen for the eighth straight month [3]. The company is betting that a leap in autonomous hardware will revitalize consumer interest and maintain its lead over domestic and international competitors.
BYD headquarters in Beijing managed the announcement [2]. The company's strategy focuses on vertical integration, producing both the silicon and the vehicles to optimize cost, and performance [1, 2].
“BYD unveiled a new automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip to power its assisted-driving technology.”
BYD is attempting to solve a sales slump by pivoting from a volume-and-cost leader to a technology leader. By developing a 4nm chip and targeting a $10,000 price point for LiDAR-equipped cars, the company is trying to commoditize high-end autonomous driving features that are currently reserved for luxury models.
