XPENG AEROHT Introduces the Future of Mobility with 'Land Aircraft Carrier' Modular Flying Car
From XPENG AEROHT 2023-10-24
Guangdong, China - October 24, 2023: XPENG AEROHT, an affiliate of XPENG Motors, unveiled its groundbreaking "Land Aircraft Carrier" modular flying car at the XPENG Tech Day 2023, capturing the spotlight with this revolutionary innovation. This innovative marvel boasts a unique two-part design, seamlessly switching between a terrestrial and aerial mode. The air module facilitates vertical takeoff for low-altitude flights, while the ground module ingeniously envelops the air module, allowing for ground transportation. XPENG AEROHT also showcased the latest eVTOL flying car design and highlighted a range of safety advancements.
Image 1: XPENG Tech Day 2023 – Xiaopeng He unveiling the modular flying car
The ground module of the modular flying car accommodates 4-5 passengers and features an extended-range hybrid power system that can provide multiple recharges for the air module. The vehicle is designed with a three-axle, six-wheel configuration, enabling 6x6 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, offering impressive carrying capacity and off-road capabilities. Though the final design is still in development, it already boasts a futuristic, cyber-mechanical aesthetic, characterized by sharp lines and sleek surfaces, reminiscent of a "lunar exploration vehicle."
Image 2: XPENG AEROHT modular flying car's ground module
The air module is a fully electric piloted aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and low-altitude flight. The product employs a distributed electric propulsion system to meet single-point failure safety requirements. It supports both manual and automatic driving modes, providing an accessible flying experience. The 270° panoramic two-person cockpit offers a vast field of view.
Image 3: XPENG AEROHT modular flying car flight illustration
The design of XPENG AEROHT's modular flying car simplifies travel. The automated system streamlines the separation and combination of the air and ground modules just like the Transformers, making flying more accessible and extending the user's travel experience from the ground to the sky.
Image 4: XPENG AEROHT modular flying car application scenarios
Beyond personal use, the modular flying car holds potential for public services like emergency rescue, effectively catering to both public and private demands.
Image 5: XPENG Tech Day 2023 – presentation by Xiaopeng He
During XPENG Tech Day 2023, the latest eVTOL flying car design was revealed. This product continues to build upon the previous two years of innovation, with further refinements. Components such as manipulator arms, rotor systems, and other flight features can be effortlessly folded and stored within the vehicle. The design exudes a supercar style, featuring an intelligent cockpit that seamlessly switches between land and flight modes, adapting components like the steering wheel and dashboard according to the selected mode.
Image 6: XPENG AEROHT eVTOL flying car product image
Image 7: XPENG AEROHT eVTOL flying car on-site demonstration
Considering policy, regulation, and application factors, the production and delivery of the modular flying car will precede the eVTOL flying car, aligning with industry trends.
Safety remains paramount in aviation. In addition to unveiling the latest flying car products, XPENG AEROHT showcased significant advancements in safety technology. The latest modular flying car's air module features a 6-axis, 6-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 impressive 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 car safety, XPENG AEROHT developed the multi-parachute rescue system. Successfully tested at just 50 meters altitude in October, this 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 meters instead of the usual 200+ meters, ensuring a safer touchdown at approximately 5 m/s, protecting passengers and the aircraft.
Image 8: XPENG AEROHT's Multi-Parachute Rescue System Parachute Deployment Test
Flying cars are set to revolutionize transportation, aligning with growing demands for efficient and convenient mobility. These transformations not only meet public demand but are actively supported and encouraged by government policies. From January to June this year, numerous policies related to the low-altitude economy were released by central and local authorities in China, totaling over 120, reflecting the nation's commitment to fostering aviation innovation.
In October, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Aviation Administration, jointly unveiled the 'Outline for the Development of Green Aviation Manufacturing (2023-2035)'. This forward-looking plan lays out a strategic timeline for the development of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).
Furthermore, in September, the Beijing Municipal Government's 'Plan for Promoting Innovation in Future Industries' highlighted a focus on smart transportation, encouraging the convergence of various industrial technologies. These policy initiatives underscore a commitment to creating a thriving environment for the development of the flying car industry, ensuring the future of transportation remains dynamic, safe, and sustainable.