Collision of Flying Cars at Chinese Air Show Raises Safety Concerns

Technology

Collision of Flying Cars at Chinese Air Show Raises Safety Concerns

2 months ago

News sources:

BANGKOKPOST

NEWSWEEK

BBC

Collision of Flying Cars at Chinese Air Show Raises Safety Concerns

Credited from: BANGKOKPOST

Two Xpeng AeroHT flying cars collided during air show rehearsals.
One vehicle caught fire upon landing, but no serious injuries were reported.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of electric vertical take-off and landing technology.

During rehearsals for the Changchun Air Show in China, two flying cars manufactured by Xpeng AeroHT collided mid-air, attributed to "insufficient flight distance," according to BBC and Newsweek. One eVTOL landed safely, while the other caught fire on impact due to damage sustained in the collision. The accident has raised significant safety concerns as flying taxis are anticipated to begin operations soon.

Footage shared on social media revealed a flaming vehicle being attended to by fire trucks at the scene. Although Xpeng confirmed that all personnel present were safe, reports from Bangkok Post indicated that authorities are investigating the accident further and are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Despite the setbacks, Xpeng AeroHT remains committed to its objective of launching the Land Aircraft Carrier, a combination electric vehicle and eVTOL module, with plans for mass production by 2026. Analysts are hopeful for advancements in infrastructure and regulations to support the emerging "low-altitude economy," although many hurdles remain, as noted by BBC and Newsweek.