The 90-minute test drive of the Chinese flying taxi took place in Dubai
(Picture: XPeng Inc)A two-seater flying taxi has been successfully tested in Dubai, offering a glimpse of future urban travel.
As cities get increasingly congested on the ground, Chinese company XPeng Inc will be hoping that their forward-thinking transportation could be the answer.
The XPeng X2 is designed to carry two passengers through the sky in a flying car. Powered by electric, it wouldn’t just save space on the roads but also reduce carbon emissions within urban areas.
Very few flying cars have been successfully tested, despite various similar programs currently in place around the world.
The two-seater flying car is held aloft by eight propellers, reaching top speeds of 80mph. As an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle), it can take off from a single spot without needing a runway, lending itself to compact city spaces.
Still, it’s not all rosy for flying taxis. There are still plenty of obstacles in the way of a widespread rollout, such as infrastructure issues, safety concerns, and problems with battery life.
The Chinese company is planning to work with regional and national governments to see how urban spaces could make room for flying taxis, but there’s plenty still to consider.
Even policing air-traffic rules would present enough challenges. XPeng Inc has also suggested that its flying taxis would eventually be autonomous for improved safety, but considering that many members of the public don’t trust self-driving cars that have all four wheels firmly on the ground, acceptance of autonomous flying cars is likely a long way off.
According to XPeng Inc, the 90-minute test flight is nonetheless “an important base for the future generation of flying automobiles”. Now that the technology is successful, work can begin on the infrastructure to make it practical.
