The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled self-driving cars from a futuristic dream to a fast-approaching reality, with automakers locked in a high-stakes race to dominate this transformative space.

And what is more, they are packaging it in electric cars that are already dramatically cheaper than anything from Tesla. Take the BYD Seagull, a car priced at just $9,500. The Chinese automaker, which has overtaken Tesla in sales there,

BYD unveiled a massive expansion of its "Gods Eye" intelligent driving system on Monday as the car giant looks to win the brutal EV battle.