Chinese electric vehicle company Xiaopeng successfully made its first flight in downtown Beijing. It is claimed that through this, we’re one step closer to the so-called ‘low-altitude economy’.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the sixteenth that the urban air traffic (UAM) drone vehicle of AeroHT, an affiliate of Xiaofeng, took off from Beijing Daxing Airport and accomplished its flight.
Previously, Xiaopeng accomplished a low-altitude flight within the central business district of the southern city of Guangzhou in March. In consequence, the commercialization of UAM is claimed to be just across the corner.
He Xiaoping, Chairman and CEO of Xiaopeng, said that preparations for commercialization of UAM began in April and that orders could be received starting within the fourth quarter. The value was not disclosed, however it is claimed that around $140,000 (roughly 193 million won) is being considered.
As such, China calls the manned aircraft system below 3000m altitude the low-altitude economy. It has been showing notable growth since 2021 after the federal government introduced policies and regulations to support this. Twenty-six local governments have already established low-level economic plans for this 12 months.
In line with a report by the China Information Industry Development Center, China’s low-altitude market size is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan (about 190 trillion won) in 2026 from 506 billion yuan (about 96 trillion won) in 2023.
Amongst them, AeroHT, a number one company, began developing flying cars in 2013. Particularly, the ‘X2’ model became world famous after completing its first public flight in Dubai in October 2022.
As well as, in China, corporations corresponding to Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Geely Automobile, and Ehang, which accomplished the Middle East’s first autonomous passenger transport flight last month, are competing.
Reporter Lim Da-jun ydj@aitimes.com
