BYD is about to make a big move! Entry-level models will also be equipped with LiDAR.

Recently, a set of BYD Seagull Tian Shen Yan B road-testing real-car photos was exposed online. The laser radar mounting position reserved above the front windshield on the car roof is clearly visible. This detail suggests that BYD has officially expanded its optional laser radar solution to entry-level commuter models such as the Seagull, fully pushing high-level intelligent driving functions into lower-tier markets and breaking the industry convention that “high-end advanced driving assistance is only for mid-to-high-end models.”

According to the declaration information previously published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the new BYD Seagull not only upgrades its power performance—raising the front-mounted single electric motor power from 55KW in the current model to 60KW, with peak torque also optimized—making this micro commuter car’s launch more nimble and its high-speed driving power reserve more abundant. Its 0–50km/h acceleration time has been shortened to 3.9 seconds. It also achieves a breakthrough upgrade in intelligent configuration—supporting the choice to add a laser radar; after opting in, it will officially upgrade to the Tian Shen Yan B (DiPilot 300) assisted driving system.

As the core solution within BYD’s “Tian Shen Yan” intelligent driving system, the Tian Shen Yan B system uses an efficient architecture of “single laser radar + single Orin-X chip,” achieving a balance between performance and cost. The laser radar it uses comes from Sagitar Juchuang, in which BYD made a strategic investment. Its detection range can reach 350 meters, far exceeding comparable products in the industry. Paired with an all-domain sensing matrix consisting of 5 millimeter-wave radars, 11 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars, it can perform multi-sensor fusion perception. Even in harsh weather such as rain and fog, the probability of missing a cone barrel at 50 meters can be kept within 10%, demonstrating a clear stability advantage.

With the upgraded new Seagull, it will feature advanced intelligent driving functions such as high-fastway navigation and urban assisted driving, covering practical capabilities including map-less city NOA navigation, highway NOA navigation, all-scenario automatic parking, traffic light recognition, and intelligent obstacle avoidance. Among them, on urban congestion road segments, the average number of driver interventions per 100 kilometers is only 1.2 times, and on highways the takeover rate is as low as 0.3 times—effectively reducing the driving burden for daily commuting and long-distance travel. It is worth noting that in the past, advanced intelligent driving configurations featuring laser radar were mainly concentrated in mid-to-high-end models priced above 200,000 yuan; now BYD has brought it down to the entry-level market priced at just 59,800–75,800 yuan, which can be described as a dimensionality-reduction strike for the industry.

BYD is able to achieve the “affordable” rollout of laser radar primarily due to its precise cost control. In 2021, BYD made a strategic investment in Sagitar Juchuang, locking in 40% of production capacity, bringing the laser radar cost down to 1,400–2,000 yuan, far below the industry comparable products’ cost of 3,000 yuan and above. This also makes it possible for entry-level models to be equipped with laser radar. This time, the new Seagull’s opening of an optional laser radar offering is not only a reflection of BYD’s strength in intelligent driving technology, but also highlights its development philosophy of “intelligent driving for everyone,” enabling ordinary consumers to easily access the convenience and safety of intelligent driving.

It is understood that, besides the power and intelligent driving upgrades, the new Seagull is also expected to achieve a breakthrough in range. The top version may be equipped with a 40.077kWh lithium iron phosphate Blade battery. The CLTC comprehensive range will increase from 405km to 505km, becoming the only micro car in the 70,000-yuan class with a range exceeding 500km. At the same time, it will retain different range versions to meet the travel needs of different users. As the new Seagull is gradually rolled out, BYD will further solidify its benchmark position in the entry-level pure electric vehicle market, while also pushing the entire industry into a new stage of “equal access to intelligent driving,” forcing other automakers to accelerate the intelligent driving upgrade pace for low-priced models.

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