We have been imagining the arrival of the flying car to our lives. Although this concept has advanced considerably, especially in recent years, the reality is that we are still far from seeing these vehicles as something accessible. For now, most are projects in the development phase or futuristic demonstrations, and they are still far from what we imagine in movies like ‘Blade Runner’ or video games like ‘Cyberpunk 2077’.
A subsidiary of XPeng, a Chinese manufacturer with a presence in Europeis pushing a pretty unique idea. Instead of betting on a design with wheels and wings, something closer to what we usually imagine as a “flying car”, Xpeng AeroHT has developed a vehicle that can deploy an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft). Sounds crazy, right? Well, the most surprising thing is that this project is already taking shape.
The first demonstration of the Xpeng AeroHT vehicle before the public
Xpeng AeroHT has advanced at full speed. The company first presented its project in October 2023. Back then, everything was a promise accompanied by very striking renders. But Xpeng AeroHTapparently, was serious when he said that he aspired to make his project a commercial product. Its engineers continued working to get the vehicle ready for its big day: the day of the first official demonstration before the public.
This milestone took place at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, an event that took place in November 2024 where we learned, for example, the new new Chinese J-35A fighter. There, the founder of XPENG AEROHT, Zhao Deli, showed his company’s star in action. The vehicle stopped in front of the cameras and the crowd, deployed the eVTOL that was hidden in the “trunk” and someone climbed aboard the new multirotor.
The latest from Xpeng AeroHT in testing in November 2024
Various tests were performed during the demonstration, such as linear acceleration at low altitude, spiral ascent, constant descent, and precision landing. Apparently, everything went as expected. An interesting point is that the test flight It was controlled at all times by autopilot. That is to say, although it is technically possible, the person on board the aerial module did not use the controls at any time.
The latest from Xpeng AeroHT in testing in November 2024
Xpeng AeroHT says the eVTOL is capable of following planned routes automatically, returning to the starting point with a single touch and detecting obstacles around it. The manual control system is made up of a joystick that allows the user to fly with total freedom. The question at this point is what requirements the “pilot” must meet to fly this type of vehicle. We’ll have to wait to find out what local regulations say.
Render of the most ambitious project of Xpeng AeroHT
In any case, the company has not hesitated to ensure that users can learn to use manual control in five minutes and become experts with three hours of flight time. They do not mention whether it will be necessary to have the support of an instructor. Whether in mode manual or autonomousthe intelligent flight control and navigation system promises to ensure stability, keeping flight parameters within safe limits.
And now, the big question: when can we buy the Xpeng AeroHT vehicle? The answer is that we will have to wait. The production line for this model is in production. According to the company, the works will be completed in the third quarter of this year and will allow the production of around 10,000 units per year. Deliveries should begin in 2026 in China. It remains to be seen if this product will reach other markets such as Europe.
Images | Xpeng AeroHT