While the American “pioneer” Musk symbolically launches his Tesla into the space junkyards, the Chinese manufacturers appear much more grounded: beyond electric/autonomous cars (for which the Chinese market is secured…), they are focusing on the next generation of commercially viable private air transportation. (And we like that!)
Ehang recently completed over 1,000 test flights of its 184 model, under all possible and unlikely weather conditions. With strong winds; with fog; with high temperature; with below freezing; with rain. In the tests, 40 different people operated the fully automatic “copters,” company executives and employees, journalists, government officials… The Ehang 184 does not require a “driver’s license”: the only movement the operator makes is to move a joystick-like lever forward and backward, for takeoff and landing.
Ehang aims to start mass production of the 184 immediately, for use as an “air taxi.” As the market develops, features (autonomy, distances) will improve and the urban air traffic control “big data” system will be developed.
Meanwhile, another Chinese company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co, purchased Boston-based Terrafugia last November, which also designs flying cars – with a “blade runner” style design.
Perhaps History will prove harsh with pioneering “pathfinders” like Musk: when the red Tesla will be wandering around Mars hoping to be discovered and admired by aliens, around the planet Earth there will be buzzing Chinese copters…