At CES 2024, Xpeng AeroHT, the self-proclaimed largest flying car company in Asia, made two announcements that it says will bring the world closer to electric air mobility for consumers. The affiliate of new EV mobility OEM Xpeng Motors showed its sportscar-like eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) flying car and its SUV-like Land Aircraft Carrier modular flying car.

“Xpeng Motors is at the heart of a revolution in mobility,” said Dr. Brian Hongdi Gu, Vice Chairman and President, of Xpeng Motors. “The future of mobility goes beyond cars. Whether people want to travel by cars, air, or other ways, we aspire to change what’s possible.”

“In 2013, we started AeroHT, dreaming of flying cars,” added Tan Wang, Co-founder, of Xpeng AeroHT. “Fast forward to 2024, and that dream has become a reality. Today, we’re thrilled to unveil our two latest innovations, which will take everyday folks from driving on roads to soaring through the sky. The future is here today, and the whole world is ready to fly!”

At CES, attendees saw the international debut and were presented with its latest eVTOL flying car transitioning from land to flight mode, marking the first time the company had given such a demonstration outside of China. The company says its new concept vehicle offers the look, feel, and driving experience of a supercar, but can transition easily from land to flight mode, allowing drivers to take to the air.

The latest eVTOL flying car design was first revealed during Xpeng Tech Day 2023 in October. It builds upon the previous version with two years of innovation and further refinements.

In land mode, the vehicle folds its flying components such as manipulator arms, rotor systems, and other flight features, storing them within the vehicle to maintain an on-road appearance. Switching to flight mode, the eVTOL opens its arms, facilitating vertical takeoff and landing. This functionality allows for navigation over congested areas and obstacles when conditions permit, effectively addressing the demand for short-distance, low-altitude travel, according to the company.

Its supercar-style design features an intelligent cockpit that switches between land and flight modes, adapting components like the steering wheel and dashboard according to the selected mode.

The company said it accomplished a test flight of a prototype weighing about 2 ton in 2022. Designed for future three-dimensional transportation, the company will proceed to mass production once related policy, regulation, and application scenarios are ready.

For the SUV-like vehicle, the company announced its Land Aircraft Carrier modular flying car will be available for pre-orders in Q4 of 2024, with customer deliveries starting a year later. The vehicle features a design that enables switching between terrestrial and aerial modes. The air module facilitates vertical takeoff for low-altitude flights, while the ground module “envelops” the air module, allowing for ground transportation.

Beyond personal use, the company said its new modular flying car holds potential for public services like emergency rescue, effectively catering to both public and private demands.

The Land Aircraft Carrier has completed all key tests of the R&D validation phase and has now entered the preparation stage for mass production. Though the company says the vehicle’s final design is still in development, it already is said to feature a futuristic, “cyber-mechanical aesthetic” characterized by sharp lines and sleek surfaces, reminiscent of a lunar exploration vehicle.

The ground module, which is about the size of a small SUV, accommodates 4-5 passengers and comes with an extended-range electric powertrain, which also provides multiple recharges for the air module. It features a three-axle, six-wheel configuration enabling 6×6 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering.

The air module is a fully electric, piloted aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and low-altitude flight, powered by an electric propulsion system that meets single-point failure safety requirements. The vehicle supports both manual and automatic driving modes, and its 270-degree panoramic two-person cockpit offers a vast field of view.

The latest modular flying car’s aircraft module features a six-axis, six-rotor configuration and incorporates two innovative reversible ducts. In case of rotor failure, the flight control system can make millisecond-level algorithm adjustments, ensuring the aircraft’s continued safe operation. This capability, coupled with a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 2, enables the aircraft to maintain safe flight even after losing two of its six rotors, meeting the stringent safety standards required for civil aviation.

To enhance flying safety, the company developed a multi-parachute rescue system. Successfully tested at just a 50-m altitude in October, the company believes that the breakthrough fills a global safety gap in ultra-low altitude rescues. The system’s maximum capacity is 1 ton and includes pioneering features like ultra-low altitude parachute opening and an embedded safety rescue control panel. It breaks industry standards by deploying parachutes at 50 m instead of the usual 200+ m, ensuring a safer touchdown at about 5 m/s.

 

Kevin Jost contributed to this article.