This DJI kit enables drones to be launched from the roof of a car.

      DJI has collaborated with the Chinese automotive company BYD to develop Lingyuan (“Sprite Kite”), which features a drone station mounted on top of a vehicle.

      At first glance, the concept may seem a bit silly, and it still appears that way upon a second look. However, this is a legitimate offering, and you can see it in the promotional video below:

      The video showcases Lingyuan as a roof-mounted drone system tailored for BYD vehicles. It facilitates autonomous drone take-offs and landings, alongside real-time filming, with all operations manageable through the car's central touchscreen display, where the drone's live video feed is also visible.

      If you fantasize about shooting your upcoming road trip with DJI’s camera drone capturing sweeping cinematic visuals as you cruise down a remote highway at sunset, remember that your driving speed is limited to 33 mph (54 kph). Of course, you could always speed up the footage in post-production.

      Going any faster may cause the drone to disengage and possibly seek an alternative destination. Additionally, you must reduce your speed to 15 mph (25 kph) when deploying or landing the drone, as anything faster could complicate the landing process on a moving vehicle.

      BYD unveiled its roof-mounted drone system in 2023, and it is now available for all BYD models. The package includes a retractable landing pad, a charging station, and video editing software, along with a drone, though the specific model isn't mentioned. Based on the advertisement, it appears to be DJI’s capable Air 3S quadcopter.

      Currently, Lingyuan is exclusive to China and costs 16,000 Chinese yuan (approximately $2,200). There has been no announcement regarding its availability in other countries.

      Not long ago, Trevor transitioned from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)...

      In related news, DJI recently released a video showcasing footage from its Mini 3 Pro drone.

      As anticipated, DJI presented the latest version of its smallest drone on Tuesday. With its compact design and an array of features, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is an exciting new device that is likely to draw in a new wave of drone photography enthusiasts and might even entice some users of larger Mavic drones to switch to this new Mini model.

      Additionally, a video documenting the unboxing of the DJI Mini 3 Pro was made public just ahead of its launch.

      DJI is set to unveil the third generation of its popular Mini drone on Tuesday, May 10, but a video has already surfaced detailing what seems to be the new drone and its controller. The three-minute unboxing video (below) is from YouTuber Darren McHardy, who received the footage from DJI observer Jasper Ellens.

      Moreover, DJI has added a new drone to its lineup, described as “unprecedented power that fits in a backpack.” The newly launched Matrice 30 drone, announced by DJI on March 21, targets specialist users rather than hobbyists and includes its own docking and recharging station for autonomous operations.