Drivers, or pilots, can simply park the six-wheeler vehicle at a take-off site, detach the drone, and board the aircraft component. From there, they can navigate the rest of their journey by air, cutting travel time and improving access to remote areas.
In addition to flying cars, He also mentioned grand investment plans for humanoid robots, which could go up to 100 billion yuan (US$13.8 billion).
“Xpeng has been working in the humanoid robot industry for five years, may continue to be in the business for another 20 years (and) invest in an additional 50 billion yuan and even 100 billion yuan,” He said.
The company unveiled its Iron humanoid robot in last November to rival US giant Tesla’s Tesla Bot.
LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY
Fuelled by policy support, China’s low-altitude economy is taking off.
AI and tech dominated this year’s Two Sessions parliamentary meetings, with lawmakers unveiling proposals and plans to develop its low-altitude economy and relevant sectors.
He, also a deputy to China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), added that one of the biggest challenges was getting the necessary policies and laws and regulations in place.
He called for the development of infrastructure and the establishment of a pilot-licensing and management system for low-altitude vehicles.
The sector, which involves flights by both manned and unmanned aircraft, is projected to reach more than US$200 billion in 2025, and double in 10 years, officials say.
