SHENZHEN, China — Electrical automobile large BYD is banking on new driver-assist know-how to clean out automobile rides and get the sting on its EV competitors.

BYD, backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, introduced Monday a brand new technological system for stabilizing automobile rides by rugged terrain, sharp turns and even shallow water. The shock absorption tech is about to be a function of the corporate’s lately launched premium model Yangwang.

“Historically, luxurious vehicles have been decided by model and historical past. For luxurious new vitality autos, it is a matter of what tech and merchandise,” BYD founder Wang Chuanfu mentioned in Mandarin at a launch occasion Monday, in response to a CNBC translation.

He claimed the tech represented a “breakthrough” that “leads and surpasses overseas technological stage.”

The replace comes forward of the Shanghai Auto Present, set to kick off subsequent week, the place many Chinese language automobile firms are set to make product and mannequin bulletins.

A part of the tech system makes use of the identical “lidar” sensors utilized in assisted driving, in response to BYD. Lidar, quick for “gentle detection and ranging,” makes use of lasers to create detailed maps of the encompassing space.

The automaker mentioned in a launch its new “DiSus” system “gives a basis for the longer term growth of Superior Driver Help Programs (ADAS).”

The corporate has taken a comparatively cautious strategy to self-driving tech.

When requested about “good driving” throughout a name with traders in late March, BYD administration mentioned autonomous driving nonetheless faces the problem of figuring out legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident. Nonetheless, administration mentioned, superior assisted driving tech has the potential to enhance general security. That is in response to a submitting of final month’s name accessed by the Wind Info database.

The trade as an entire has been working to stability bold driver-assist choices with measured security protocols. EV chief Tesla in February recalled greater than 360,000 vehicles over assisted-driving software program for metropolis streets that it mentioned might trigger crashes.

That city assisted driving software program is just not out there for Tesla drivers in China.

It was not instantly clear how Tesla’s shock absorption capabilities in contrast with BYD’s, however different automobile firms in China are wanting into related know-how.

In September, Nio’s funding fund Nio Capital led a $39 million financing spherical into Boston-based ClearMotion, which develops software program for lively suspension.

BYD’s Wang did not deal with what the corporate’s new DiSus system would price to make use of, or when it will change into broadly out there.

Two of the suitable automobile fashions — Yangwang’s forthcoming U8 SUV and the Denza N7 SUV — should not but out there for deliveries. Auto large Daimler has a small stake in BYD’s Denza model.

BYD mentioned a few of its current Han, Tang and Denza fashions are set to obtain the brand new tech by an over-the-air improve.

The brand new system is available in three variations — “damping,” “air,” and “hydraulic” — that are set for particular person integration with sure BYD fashions.

Within the first quarter, BYD mentioned it bought 264,647 all-electric passenger vehicles, up greater than 80% from a 12 months in the past. Hybrid passenger automobile gross sales doubled from a 12 months in the past to 283,270 within the first quarter.

Tesla, for its half, mentioned it delivered greater than 422,000 vehicles worldwide within the first quarter, with out sharing a regional breakdown. China usually accounts for effectively over 20% of Tesla’s income.