SourceDigital Trends•Stalecollected in 28m
Chinese EV brands showcase advanced three-wheel driving capabilities
See how advanced control software and active suspension are enabling complex autonomous vehicle maneuvers.
30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Active suspension enables complex vehicle maneuvers
Why It Matters
This demonstrates the high level of control software integration in modern EVs. It highlights the potential for AI-driven autonomous vehicle recovery systems.
What To Do Next
Study the control logic behind active suspension systems to understand how to apply similar predictive stabilization in robotics.
Who should care:Developers & AI Engineers
Key Points
- •Active suspension enables complex vehicle maneuvers
- •Three-wheel driving aids in recovery and tire changes
- •Advanced control systems for rough terrain navigation
Deep Insight
Background and context from public sources — not the original article. 29 sources cited.
Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •BYD's DiSus-P Ultra system, featured in models like the Denza B8, enables a maximum wheel lift height of 300 millimeters and can support up to 9 tons of lifting force, allowing for tire changes without a traditional jack in under two minutes.
- •Li Auto's Livis 800V fully active hydraulic suspension system, introduced on the L9 Livis, delivers over 10,000 Newtons (approximately 1 metric ton) of lifting force per wheel with millisecond-level response times and over 200 dynamic adjustments per second, operating without traditional anti-roll bars.
- •The three-wheel driving mode, demonstrated by BYD, Li Auto, and Huawei-backed Aito, is primarily designed for low-speed emergency situations, such as escaping difficult terrain or navigating obstacles, and is limited to speeds of 15 km/h.
- •Beyond three-wheel driving, these advanced active suspension systems integrate features like proactive road surface detection using cameras and lidar to adjust damping and stiffness preemptively, and 'trap recovery' scenarios where vehicles can adjust suspension height to regain traction in deep sand.
- •The development of these in-house active suspension systems, such as BYD's DiSus, marks a significant technological leap for Chinese automakers, with BYD claiming to be the first Chinese manufacturer to fully develop such intelligent vehicle body control technology.
Competitor Analysis
Suspension Type
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Fully Active Hydraulic (DiSus-P Ultra)
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- 800V Fully Active Hydraulic
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Fully Active Hydraulic
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- Adaptive Air Suspension
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Full Active Suspension (SkyRide)
Key Capabilities
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Three-wheel driving, wheel-lift recovery/tire change, trap recovery, obstacle crossing
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- Single-wheel lift, tire replacement, sand recovery, eliminates anti-roll bars
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Similar three-wheel driving and recovery functions
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- Adjustable ground clearance (up to 14.9 inches), off-road modes, precise torque vectoring
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Drive-by-wire chassis, steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering
Lifting Force/Range
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Up to 9 tons lifting force, 300mm wheel lift height
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- Over 10,000 N per wheel, 200+ dynamic adjustments/sec
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Not specified, but similar functionality
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- Up to 14.9 inches ground clearance
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Not specified, focuses on comfort and stability
Proactive Adjustment
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Yes, using cameras and lidar for road preview
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- Yes, with sensors and intelligent driving system
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Yes, proactively adjusts based on road conditions
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- Not explicitly detailed as proactive road scanning, but dynamic
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Not explicitly detailed as proactive road scanning, but dynamic
Market Positioning
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Premium SUVs, off-road vehicles
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- Luxury full-size crossover SUV
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Premium SUVs
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- Adventure/Off-road focused EVs
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Smart Electric Executive Flagship
Pricing (approx.)
- BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8)
- Denza B8 starts at 419,800 yuan (approx. $61,600 USD)
- Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis)
- Li L9 Livis priced at 559,800 yuan
- Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9)
- Aito M9 pre-order at 499,800 yuan (approx. $73,400 USD)
- Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T)
- R1S starts at $78,000 MSRP
- NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide)
- Not specified, but executive flagship
| Feature/Aspect | BYD DiSus-P Ultra (e.g., Denza B8) | Li Auto Livis (e.g., L9 Livis) | Huawei-backed Aito (e.g., M9) | Rivian (e.g., R1S/R1T) | NIO (e.g., ET9 SkyRide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Type | Fully Active Hydraulic (DiSus-P Ultra) | 800V Fully Active Hydraulic | Fully Active Hydraulic | Adaptive Air Suspension | Full Active Suspension (SkyRide) |
| Key Capabilities | Three-wheel driving, wheel-lift recovery/tire change, trap recovery, obstacle crossing | Single-wheel lift, tire replacement, sand recovery, eliminates anti-roll bars | Similar three-wheel driving and recovery functions | Adjustable ground clearance (up to 14.9 inches), off-road modes, precise torque vectoring | Drive-by-wire chassis, steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering |
| Lifting Force/Range | Up to 9 tons lifting force, 300mm wheel lift height | Over 10,000 N per wheel, 200+ dynamic adjustments/sec | Not specified, but similar functionality | Up to 14.9 inches ground clearance | Not specified, focuses on comfort and stability |
| Proactive Adjustment | Yes, using cameras and lidar for road preview | Yes, with sensors and intelligent driving system | Yes, proactively adjusts based on road conditions | Not explicitly detailed as proactive road scanning, but dynamic | Not explicitly detailed as proactive road scanning, but dynamic |
| Market Positioning | Premium SUVs, off-road vehicles | Luxury full-size crossover SUV | Premium SUVs | Adventure/Off-road focused EVs | Smart Electric Executive Flagship |
| Pricing (approx.) | Denza B8 starts at 419,800 yuan (approx. $61,600 USD) | Li L9 Livis priced at 559,800 yuan | Aito M9 pre-order at 499,800 yuan (approx. $73,400 USD) | R1S starts at $78,000 MSRP | Not specified, but executive flagship |
Technical Deep Dive
- BYD DiSus System: A full-stack self-developed intelligent body control system designed exclusively for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). It integrates perception, decision-making, and execution to control body dynamics (lateral, longitudinal, and vertical motions).
- DiSus-P Ultra (Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System): This is the most advanced version for off-road applications. It uses motor-driven hydraulic pumps to independently control each wheel, allowing for single-wheel lifting, three-wheel driving (limited to 15 km/h), and trap recovery. It can achieve a maximum wheel lift height of 300mm and support up to 9 tons of lifting force. Advanced versions utilize forward road preview with cameras and radars to recognize road surfaces up to 150m ahead with 3mm accuracy, proactively adjusting suspension damping and stiffness.
- DiSus-X: A flagship variant showcased on the Yangwang U9 supercar, capable of driving on three wheels, dancing, and even performing a brief vertical jump. It integrates the technical essence of DiSus-C, -A, and -P.
- Li Auto Livis 800V Fully Active Hydraulic Suspension: This system features a high-pressure hydraulic pump, air springs, and dual-valve CDC dampers. It employs a four-wheel independent control architecture, eliminating traditional anti-roll bars. Each wheel can deliver over 10,000 Newtons of lifting force, with a response time in the 10-millisecond range and capable of more than 200 dynamic adjustments per second. It works in tandem with sensors and the intelligent driving system to proactively identify road conditions, extending suspension to 'fill in' potholes and retracting to avoid bumps.
- Computing Power: The Li Auto L9 Livis utilizes dual 5nm in-house-developed M100 Ultra chips, providing a combined computing power of 2,560 TOPS, which is three times the capacity of a single Nvidia Thor-U chip. This hardware is paired with a 360-degree 4-LiDAR setup.
Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
Advanced active suspension systems will become a key differentiator for premium EVs, especially in the SUV and off-road segments.
Chinese automakers are already using these systems as a technology differentiator in premium SUVs and off-road vehicles, integrating multiple functions like wheel lifting, tire replacement, body leveling, and obstacle crossing into integrated chassis control platforms.
The integration of active suspension with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will lead to more intelligent and safer vehicle control.
BYD's DiSus system offers collaborative control in body dynamics, providing a foundation for future ADAS development, and Li Auto's system works in tandem with sensors and intelligent driving to proactively adjust to road conditions.
The widespread adoption of these technologies could redefine consumer expectations for vehicle recovery and maintenance, reducing reliance on external services.
Features like jack-free tire replacement and self-recovery from traps offer practical benefits that could empower drivers to handle common roadside issues independently.
Timeline
1981
Lotus introduces active suspension in Formula 1 racing.
1983
Lotus refines active suspension with an onboard computer, making it effective enough for potential transfer to road cars.
1994
Active suspension banned in Formula 1 due to safety concerns over high speeds and high costs.
2023-04
BYD officially launches its self-developed DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, including DiSus-C, DiSus-A, DiSus-P, and DiSus-X variants, for New Energy Vehicles.
2024-02
BYD's Yangwang U9, featuring DiSus-X, goes on sale, showcasing three-wheel driving and vertical jump capabilities.
2026-04
Li Auto L9 Livis, equipped with an 800V fully active hydraulic suspension system, makes its global debut at Auto China 2026.
- 1981Lotus introduces active suspension in Formula 1 racing.
- 1983Lotus refines active suspension with an onboard computer, making it effective enough for potential transfer to road cars.
- 1994Active suspension banned in Formula 1 due to safety concerns over high speeds and high costs.
- 2023-04BYD officially launches its self-developed DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, including DiSus-C, DiSus-A, DiSus-P, and DiSus-X variants, for New Energy Vehicles.
- 2024-02BYD's Yangwang U9, featuring DiSus-X, goes on sale, showcasing three-wheel driving and vertical jump capabilities.
- 2026-04Li Auto L9 Livis, equipped with an 800V fully active hydraulic suspension system, makes its global debut at Auto China 2026.
Sources (29)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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