Chinese firm XPeng unveils flying car prototype for commercial launch
Chinese manufacturer XPeng showcased a two-seat flying car prototype in Lisbon, announcing that commercial flights could begin in China as early as next summer.
Chinese manufacturer XPeng could launch trips in two-seater flying cars as early as next summer, chief executive Deli Zhao announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon on Tuesday. The $300,000 (£225,000) low-altitude craft has secured limited flight approval from China's civil aviation authorities following a decade of development in Guangzhou.
The aircraft features a compact cabin lifted by six battery-powered drone propellers, steered using a joystick or autonomous flight programming. The vehicle folds into a six-wheeled van the size of a Ford Transit, allowing owners to transport and deploy it remotely.
Initial deployment is targeted at emergency services and rural tourism by late 2027, with the company pitching the design to adventure travellers. Unveiling the prototype to crowds in Lisbon, Zhao claimed the wheeled-drone system allows anyone to master basic flight controls within minutes.
Source: The Guardian
