Innovative Milestone: Chinese Company Leads in the Sky Vehicle Race

The competition in new modes of transportation is intensifying on the global market. While companies worldwide are making strides, a Chinese company has outpaced its competitors by executing the first ‘official’ flight of a flying vehicle. AeroHT, a subsidiary of the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, achieved this feat with its KS2 flying robot taxi, elevating its lead in this thrilling race.

First Official Flight of KS2 Flying Taxi

On June 16, at the Beijing Daxing airport, AeroHT’s KS2 flying robot taxi embarked on its maiden ‘official’ flight during an international fair. This wasn’t its first trial, but it marked the first official flight by any flying car in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This breakthrough demonstrates China’s pioneering spirit and commitment to advancing transportation technologies.

Commercialization on the Horizon

This successful flight propels AeroHT closer to the commercial launch of its ‘sky vehicles.’ With robust support from Chinese authorities, the development of a low-altitude economy is thriving. AeroHT has been preparing for commercialization since April and plans to start accepting orders later this year, without disclosing the expected price range yet.

Advancements in Low-Altitude Economy

Since 2021, the low-altitude economy has been on the rise, supported by favorable policies from the central government. This economy includes companies that use drones and piloted aircraft below 3,000 meters above sea level. This year, for the first time, the central government included the low-altitude economy in its performance report. Beijing is actively planning to establish three major air routes by 2027, enhancing connectivity and enabling multifunctional flying vehicles like KS2 for emergency rescue, logistics, tourism, and more.

With eight propellers and four motors, the KS2 flying car is designed for two passengers and offers both manual and autonomous modes. Having conducted nearly 4,000 test flights in diverse environments, AeroHT’s innovative efforts signify a transformative leap towards a future of safe, efficient, and commercially viable flying vehicles, underscoring China’s leadership in this cutting-edge industry.