SHENZHEN – BYD officially launched its groundbreaking "D++" open-source platform at the BYD Worldwide Developer Conference in Shenzhen on September 5.

Themed "Opening and Creating for the Future," the event saw BYD re-emphasize its bold vision for smart transport. In addition, a "developer version" of BYD's Qin Pro model was unveiled on the day, which is the world's first autonomous car open to developers.

In attendance were notable luminaries from the fields of autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, blockchain and more, including Baidu President Zhang Yaqin, Qihoo 360 Chairman and CEO Zhou Hongyi, Roadstar.ai CTO Heng Liang, as well as Horizon Chairman and CEO Yu Kai. "D++" is an open-source platform that comprises just one part of BYD's larger DiLink system.

Wang Chuanfu

"Like the development of smartphones which shifted from closed to open systems, this is also the only way for the car to become 'smarter'. As we are embracing this new wave of intelligence, I'm proud to announce BYD's strategy is now 'open'," said Wang Chuanfu, president and chairman of BYD, who envisages DiLink's technologies as breaking down industry barriers and pooling the wisdom of more developers, thus delivering greater cooperation and prosperity.

BYD believes that the new era of transportation has evolved into its third stage, one characterized by electrification, three-dimensionality and intelligence. The opening of its platform, reminiscent of the open nature of the Android, transforms a car into a "smart space on wheels."

Baidu President Zhang Yaqin

Qihoo 360 Chairman and CEO Zhou Hongyi

"In the future, travel will only comprise 1 percent of smart cars, and the remaining 99 percent is open to the human imagination," said Wang. "BYD will fully open 341 sensors and 66 controls on the car for developers, providing a much broader creative platform, which is bound to produce an immeasurable application ecology. We are doing for the car what Android did for the mobile phone."

Based on the latest technologies and user insights such as mobile internet, AI, voice recognition, car networking and big data, the DiLink system turns the car into a 24-hour personal housekeeper through self-learning, such as being able to pick up passengers at preset times, communicate with them and customize in-car entertainment for different passengers according to gender.

BYD's Qin Pro model is the world's first "Developers Version" of a driverless vehicle, being equipped with the "BYD Eco Open Platform." The vehicle, which has a remote upgrading ability, will be officially launched in late September. Pre-sale has already begun, with prices ranging from ¥100,000-¥120,000 for the gasoline version, to ¥160,000-¥180,000 for the DM version (after subsidies) and ¥170,000-¥190,000 for the EV500 version (after subsidies).

BYD Qin Pro

One of the highlights at the event is the announcement by BYD and Baidu to quantity produce an autonomous vehicle within the next three years. BYD became the 100th member of Baidu's Apollo platform back in April and the two announced at Baidu's own developer conference in early July that they would create an open vehicle certification platform – seen by many as the "Wintel" of the auto industry.

The two have agreed to the following major initiatives, among others: in mapping, Baidu Map Auto version will be equipped on all BYD models; Baidu will provide complete solutions for L3 intelligent driving; the first Qin Pros have already been ordered by Baidu for pilot road testing as part of the Apollo platform.

BYD also reached a partnership agreement with DNV GL and VeChain to tackle carbon emission imbalances, moving from proof of concept to production ready. The carbon banking solution co-developed by the partners debuted at the event.

In the initial release of a series of proof of concepts established between the three partnering parties, BYD announces that they have completed a carbon banking solution for the car models. This solution utilizes VeChain's automobile lifecycle management solution that encompasses nearly every branch of the automotive industry. This will be the first enterprise level application moving millions of cars, buses, trains, and other vehicles onto a public blockchain platform.

This carbon bank solution rewards vehicle operators with carbon credits based on their vehicles' driving performance and carbon reduction. This solution provides the tools necessary to construct a blockchain-based ecosystem aimed at reducing the global carbon footprint. Each footprint captured will be recorded on the VeChainThor Blockchain and made available to clients interested in participating in the initiative. With this solution, corporations will be able to access a platform that facilitates easy data management, sharing, and analytics. Data will no longer be considered fragmented and untrustworthy, but united and reliable.

Shu Youxing

Shu Youxing, president of BYD Automotive Intelligent Ecological Research Institute, commented, "This technology not only improves our current offering but allows us to create completely new markets. The unique aspects that VeChain provide will empower carbon monitoring development and sustainable ecosystems. This solution is a glimpse into what we think we can achieve through this partnership."

BYD will benefit from data access control and the market-defining Internet of Vehicle information. 4S shops and repair garages will function as data providers, consolidating basic vehicle information (mileage, damage, maintenance, etc.) and cataloging all assets of repairs. This data will then be utilized by insurance and financial service providers in an effort to provide accurate, cost-effective product packages to their customers. Both enterprises and end-users can thus benefit from the unprecedented level of data ownership and control afforded by the VeChainThor Blockchain.

Sunny Lu

Sunny Lu, CEO and co-founder of VeChain, stated, "As the global leader in green car manufacturing, BYD offered us the opportunity to pioneer real change. It takes innovators like BYD to make the world a cleaner place. Carbon banking will be a new reality for billions."

The car market benefits from an effective lifecycle management solution include new energy vehicle subsidies, lower carbon emissions, verified data driven analysis, reduced policy premiums, and other such value-added services. Governmental bodies will return to subsidy-driven policies with the ability to accurately monitor the use of energy vehicles. Insurance agencies will have a more complete picture of driver's habits and records, resulting in driver-specific packages, costs, renewals, and extensions. Several insurance companies, such as The People's Insurance Company of China (PICC), have partnered with VeChain to design this solution and have stated it creates new value in their businesses.

Norway based DNV GL and VeChain sign strategic cooperation agreement on January 24, 2018. Luca Crisciotti, CEO of DNV GL and Sunny Lu.

George Kang, CEO at DNV GL Business Assurance Greater China Region, added that, "This solution represents the first major partner to utilize our Carbon Banking solution. BYD has gone to significant lengths to ensure our goal of making the world safer, smarter and greener."

DNV GL, as an independent trusted third party, certifies the whole process design and checkpoints, as well as data collected by vehicle computer and stored on VeChainThor platform. DNV GL certifies including but not limited to the KYC (Know Your Customer) service, BYD data uploading API, BYD blockchain interface API and VeChain smart contracts.

The above article appeared in the October 2018 (Vol.13, No.10) issue of China Automotive Review (CAR), our monthly publication in English exclusively focused on the Chinese auto industry.