На мероприятии Tech Day в Гуанчжоу китайская компания XPeng эффектно продемонстрировала новую версию своего летающего электромобиля Aeroht. Прототип успешно пережил свой первый полёт и преодолел несколько испытаний на отказ одного из двигателей.
Новинка кардинально отличается от представленного ранее прототипа. Теперь это действительно автомобиль, способный как ездить по дорогам, так и взлетать в воздух. При этом визуально создаётся ощущение, что к крыше машины присоединили гигантский квадрокоптер.
Последняя версия XPeng Aeroht получила многороторную конфигурацию и усовершенствованную конструкцию для повышения безопасности и надёжности полёта. По утверждению компании, даже на обычном шоссе их детище составит достойную конкуренцию классическому автомобилю с точки зрения функциональности и габаритов. В режиме полёта используется всё то же рулевое колесо и переключатель справа, отвечающий за регулировку траектории движения, подъём и стабилизацию в воздухе. Управление летающим аппаратом вышло не сложнее, чем езда на легковом авто, и это, как считает производитель, гарантирует его успех на потребительском рынке.
«Мы взяли принцип работы автомобилей, творчески переработали его и применили к летательной системе, чтобы упростить обучение полётам», — заявил председатель и главный исполнительный директор XPeng Хэ Сяопэн.
Никакие технические характеристики пока не разглашаются, как и планы по срокам выпуска и ориентировочной стоимости коммерческой версии.
By Chris Stonor
A prototype of XPeng’s ‘X2’ much vaunted eVTOL, “quietly slipped into the Netherlands” last week without fuss or fanfare, reports carnewschina.com. The aircraft arrived at an undisclosed new Xpeng storefront.
The Chinese name is Luhanzhe X2 and is translated into English as Voyager X2 or Traveller X2. The eVTOL will make its official debut shortly via a trial flight.
This X2 is the fifth generation. The company was founded in 2013 by Zhao Deli with financial backing from XPeng CEO, He Xiaopeng. The first generation vehicle debuted in 2016 and five years later the company has completed Series A financing of over USD500 million. This is a serious contender within China’s growing eVTOL industry and is a major competitor for EHang.
The X2 is a two-seat aircraft. Its fuselage is made of carbon fibre making it light-weight with a mass of just 560 kg including batteries. It can carry two passengers and an additional 200 kg on board, with a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of 75 km on one electric charge. The craft has a maximum flight altitude of 1000 metres, although 400 metres is deemed the most comfortable and safest height. The X2 has autopilot with multiple sensors and is capable of self-landing, but if something goes wrong, this craft has a catapult parachute system.
As for price, nothing is set yet, although in a recent interview Deli mentioned he could foresee prices for a two-seater eVTOL ranging between USD126,000 and USD236,000.
(News Source: https://carnewschina.com)
Во время Пекинского автосалона 2020 года компания Xiaopeng Motors представила самолет Traveler T1, с малой высотой полета (5-25 метров) и автоматической системой вождения. Новинка Xiaopeng Huitian — Traveler X2, это третий вариант пилотируемого самолета. Он будет выпущен после Traveler T1 и Traveler X1.
Подробности
Этот вид малогабаритного самолета такого же размера, как и обычная машина и может взлетать и приземляться вертикально на парковочном месте для автомобилей.
Максимальный взлетный вес Voyager X2 составляет 560 кг, а вес самого самолета — всего 360 кг. Время автономной работы — 35 минут, а максимальная скорость полета может достигать 130 км/ч.
Самолет может самостоятельно планировать траекторию полета и поднимать в воздух до 2-ух человек. С помощью нескольких датчиков осуществляет наземный мониторинг, интеллектуальное взаимодействие и низковысотная навигация по карте, вертикальный взлет и посадка, а также 100-километровая двусторонняя связь в режиме реального времени.
Что касается конструкции безопасности, он имеет восемь групп независимых батарей, которые обеспечивают резервное питание для нескольких двигателей. Кроме того, самолет также укомплектован парашютом для катапультирования, системой круглосуточного наблюдения и другими функциями, которые обеспечивают максимальную безопасность полета.
Компания Xiaopeng Motors официально объявила, что Traveler X2 будет выпущен в конце года, и тогда же будут произведены его тестовые полёты.
Xiaopeng Huitian — это аэрокосмическое высокотехнологичное инновационное предприятие, совместно контролируемое He Xiaopeng и Xiaopeng Motors. Основано оно 7 лет назад и занимается проектированием и производством новых самолетов в Китае.
Китайский производитель электрокаров XPeng провёл демонстрационный полёт автомобиля пятого поколения. Voyager X2 пока ещё находится на стадии прототипа, но уже включает
множество систем: от средств повышенной безопасности до мощных двигателей.
Полёт Voyager X2
В апреле этого года на автосалоне в Шанхае XPeng представила
летающий автомобиль четвёртого поколения Voyager X1. С тех пор он совершил
более 10 000 тестовых полётов и сейчас способен взлетать и
приземляться в вертикальном режиме. Кроме того, уже к концу года Voyager X1 будет
использоваться в реальных условиях в одном из китайских городов. Поскольку прогресс
не стоит на месте, XPeng уже тестирует более продвинутый летающий электромобиль
Voyager X2, представляющий собой транспортное средство пятого поколения.
Машина весит всего 360 кг и способна подняться в воздух со
снаряжённой массой до 560 кг. Автономности встроенного аккумулятора хватит на
30-минутный перелёт со скоростью до 130 км/ч. Производитель изучает возможность
внедрения системы пилотирования и планирования траектории полёта.
Новая технология позволит отслеживать расстояние до земли и возвращаться на заданную
позицию с расстояния до 100 км. Внутри расположится система мониторинга,
выявляющая потенциальные проблемы в режиме 24/7.
Представители компании уверяют, что в первую очередь позаботились
о безопасности. Так, аккумулятор разделён на 8 независимых групп, а
подъёмная сила обеспечивается восемью винтами с огромным запасом мощности. Все тесты
проводятся без участия пилотов, но в случае реальных испытаний пассажиры смогут
спастись благодаря системе катапультирования со встроенным парашютом. Посмотреть
новое видео Voyager X2 можно по ссылке.
Recently, the Xpeng Huitian intelligent electric flying car Traveller X2 arrived in the Netherlands for the first time. The official debut will be held in Europe in the future. At the internal appreciation meeting held by Xiaopeng Motors, more than 50 government officials including Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Chairman of the Netherlands Sustainable Development Alliance, Mr. Philippe Vangeel, Secretary General of the European Association for Electric Mobility (AVERE), Mr. Hans, Director of Investment Projects of the Foreign Investment Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr. Kuijpers, and representatives of the Netherlands Innovation Centre and the Automobile Industry Association were invited to become the first witnesses to experience the technological charm of China’s intelligent manufacturing.
Mr. Philippe Vangeel, Secretary General of the European Electric Mobility Association, expressed his affirmation of flying cars. He mentioned that flying cars are a good solution in today’s traffic jams, and he looks forward to realising it in Europe.
As Xiaopeng Huitian, a unicorn of China’s cutting-edge aviation technology lands in Europe for the first time, it represents the new force of China’s intelligent manufacturing and is an effective manifestation of China’s scientific and technological innovation strength. In the near future, every ordinary person’s flying dream will become a reality.
Related aircraft programs:XPeng X2
XPeng will soon unveil its flying car in Europe. This car’s Chinese name is 旅航者X2 (Lühanzhe X2). We can translate it in two ways: Voyager X2 or Traveler X2. But, to avoid any confusion, we will call it the X2. The first X2 arrived in the Netherlands on March 10, 2022. XPeng Heitech uploaded a short video about it on their Weibo social media. This flying car will make its official debut and a test flight in Europe in H1 2022.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IyBu0jHkBp8%3Ffeature%3Doembed
What is XPeng X2?
Five generations of XPeng flying cars
The XPeng X2 is the fifth generation of the XPeng Heitech’s flying car concept. This company was founded in 2013 by Zhao Deli with financial support from XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng. The first-gen flying car debuted back in 2016. And in 2020, XPeng Heitech launched the fifth generation. In 2021, XPeng Heitech completed Series A financing of over 500 million USD.
Flying XPeng X2
The X2 is a two-seat aircraft. Its fuselage is made of carbon fiber. Thanks to the carbon fiber, the XPeng X2 is light with a weight of 560 kg, including batteries. It can carry two passengers and an additional 200 kg on board. Speaking of flying capabilities, X2 can fly up to 35 minutes with a top speed of 130 km/h. The range of this aircraft is a bit over 75 km. This aircraft has a maximum flight altitude of 1000 meters. The founder of XPeng He Xiaopeng has driven the X2 several times. After it, he said that the most comfortable and safe altitude is about 400 meters.
XPeng X2 sensors visualization
The X2 got autopilot with multiple sensors. It does ground monitoring and hasn’t got blind spots at all. It is capable of self-landing. But if something goes wrong, this aircraft has a catapult parachute system.
Speaking about the price, there are no concrete numbers yet. But Zhao Deli said during an interview that the price range for a flying car would be 800,000-1,500,000 RMB (126,000-236,000 USD).
Are flying cars legal?
According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) chief, aircraft such as air taxis and ambulances will be in flight above European cities within three to five years. EASA has been laying the groundwork for regulating urban air mobility (air transportation system for passengers and cargo in and around urban environments) for several years, publishing proposed standards for vertical take-off and landing aircraft in July 2019 and delivering drones in December 2020. There are no certification rules for pilots of such aircraft yet, but preparations for their establishment are underway. Anyway, for now, flying cars are not legal in Europe.
Source: XPeng, euractiv, sina, sohu, XPeng Heitech Weibo
XPeng’s urban air mobility (UAM) company AeroHT has demonstrated huge progress for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles by showcasing its fifth-generation X2 ‘flying car’ publicly taking off, flying, and successfully landing during a demonstration in Dubai. Additionally, the company offered a progress update for its sixth-generation flying car, which is an actual car with wheels that drives and can take off and fly. Check it out.
AeroHT, fka XPeng Huitian, is a majority-owned entity of XPeng Inc. and its founder He Xiaopeng. Since its inception in 2013, AeroHT has conducted over 15,000 safely manned flights with the goal of combining automotive and aerospace technologies to develop safe, domestic electric flying vehicles at scale. These days, it’s well on its way.
For the first time, we get to see uncut footage of the eVTOL taking off, flying, and landing. That video is below, but to kick things off, check out this edited footage of the X2 flying car on display at Skydive Dubai outside of Gitex Global 2022:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zWD5_0M-xW4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26rel%3D0%26enablejsapi%3D1
X2 flies in Dubai ahead of details for AeroHT’s next flying car
The X2 flying car is on display this week at Gitex Global – one of the world’s largest tech shows taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center. When moved off-site to Skydive Dubai, the XPeng X2 successfully completed specific operations risk assessments outlined with the DCAA, receiving permission to make its first public flight in Dubai – its first outside of China. XPeng’s vice chairman and president Brian Gu spoke to the achievement overseas:
XPeng X2’s public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPeng AeroHT and the international achievement of flying cars. Dubai is a world-renowned ‘City of Innovation’, which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today’s flight is a major step in XPeng’s exploration of future mobility.
Part of the “exploration of future mobility” Gu is speaking to is XPeng’s sixth-generation eVTOL – a true ‘flying car’ in a more traditional sense given that it can actually drive too. It was first unveiled during the company’s 1024 Tech Day last fall.
XPeng AeroHT’s sixth-generation flying car
At the time, we learned that this latest flying car would be the first to come equipped with road capabilities, offering a lightweight design and foldable rotor mechanism for quick transitions between driving and flying. Additionally, XPeng stated the vehicle will arrive sometime in 2024 and should cost below RMB 1,000,000 (or approximately $156,600).
From Dubai, XPeng AeroHT is teasing new details of this flying car, stating it will reveal “the crucial achievement of R&D progress” as it pertains to the configuration, exterior design, and air driving method. Per XPeng AeroHT:
Equipped with both manual and automatic flight driving modes, this next-generation electric flying car, which is able to drive in the air and on roads, represents a true transformation from two-dimensional to three-dimensional mobility. As well as meeting daily travel demands, it can trigger the folding deformation system to achieve vertical take-off and landing for a low-altitude manned flight.
Those details will be made public during this year’s 1024 Tech day on October 24. More to come later this month. For now, we will have to settle for uncut footage of XPeng’s fifth-generation flying car (without wheels) operating in Dubai. Enjoy.
Add Electrek to your Google News feed.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Voyager X2 (production model)
XPeng AeroHT
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
www.aeroht.com
With funding from XPeng Motors, XPeng AeroHT was founded in 2020 as one of its subdivisions and is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. XPeng AeroHT is in the business of designing and manufacturing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) passenger aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). The company was orginally founded as Heitech in 2013 by Zhao Deli in Dongguan, Guangdong, China and was later purchased by XPeng Motors. He Xiaopeng is the Chairman and CEO of XPeng Motors and the Chairman of XPeng AeroHT. Zhao Deli is currently the president of XPeng AeroHT, Wang Tan is the co-founder, vice president and chief designer of XPeng AeroHT and Zheng Congwei is the vice president of XPeng AeroHT.
XPeng Motors was founded in 2014 by He Xiaopeng, Henry Xia and He Tao and is a leading Chinese all-electric vehicle and technology company that designs, develops and manufactures intelligent automobiles that are seamlessly integrated with the Internet and utilize the latest advances in artificial intelligence. The headquarters are located in Guangzhou, China.
The company’s manufacturing philosophy centers around quality, continuous improvement, flexibility and high operating efficiency. XPeng’s goal is to make smart electric vehicles with technology and data, and shape the consumer mobility experience of the future. XPeng went public in the U.S. in August 2020 and has completed a dual-primary listing in Hong Kong.
The aircraft was designed to be the size of a car so that it will easily fit into a garage, driveway or standard parking space. The four small wheeled-dollies can be placed under the skid landing gear to move the aircraft easily while on the ground. Some of the safety features include distributed electric propulsion (DEP), multiple redundant systems, spherical environment detection, autonomous return and landing, ground monitoring, real time video, omnidirectional camera and an emergency ballistic parachute.
The Voyager X2 was revealed at a public exhibition in Shanghai, China in July 2021 and in Europe in March 2022. The price range for the Voyager X2 is expected to be in the range of $126,000.00 — $236,000.00 USD. The company plans to test fly the aircraft in Europe in 2022 and serial production is expected to occur in 2024.
Voyager X2 artist conception
Voyager X2 front view
Voyager X2 take off from vertiport
- Aircraft type: eVTOL multicopter
- Piloting: Autonomous
- Capacity: 2 passengers
- Maximum speed: 130 kp/h (81 mph)
- Flight Time: 35 minutes
- Cruise altitude: 300-500 m (984-1,640 ft)
- Empty weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)
- Propellers: 8 propellers
- Electric Motors: 8 electric motors
- Power source: Batteries
- Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
- Windows: Canopy over cockpit
- Landing gear: Fixed skid landing gear
- Safety Features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft. The aircraft has multiple redundant systems, spherical environment detection, autonomous return and landing, ground monitoring, real time video, omnidirectional camera, an emergency ballistic parachute and more.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — October 10, 2022: XPENG AEROHT, the largest flying car company in Asia and an affiliate of XPENG, today conducted the first flight of its electric flying car, the XPENG X2, at Skydive Dubai.
The public flight took place at Skydive Dubai, located adjacent to The Palm, offering excellent airspace conditions and panoramic views of the cityscape to provide the historic flight with a breathtaking backdrop.
Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG, commented: «XPENG X2’s public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPENG AEROHT and the international achievement of flying cars. Dubai is a world-renowned ‘City of Innovation’, which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today’s flight is a major step in XPENG’s exploration of future mobility.»
The XPENG X2 first public flight was highly supported by the Dubai International Chamber of Commerce. The Dubai Chamber has been deeply involved in the whole process since the launch of the project, providing strategic consulting to XPENG AEROHT. Acting President and CEO Hassan Al Hashemi attended the event and cited in his speech: «The first global public flight of the X2 flying car will change the game of future mobility. The flying car is the epitome of ambition, innovation and future-oriented vision that has always inspired Dubai and its leadership. Today, we witnessed a historic moment that will define the next 50 years.»
XPENG Flying Car at GITEX GLOBAL
GITEX GLOBAL 2022, one of the world’s largest tech shows, kicked off on October 10th at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The 42nd edition of the event features 5,000 companies and 100,000 attendees from 170 countries, converging the most advanced companies and best minds to dive deep into diverse technology topics including future mobility. The XPENG X2 flying car, exhibited at the XPENG AEROHT pavilion Za’abeel Hall 3, turned the heads of thousands of visitors on the first day of the GITEX international event.
Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, GITEX GLOBAL’s organizer, commented: «GITEX has played host to pivotal moments over the years. Today, we are proud to support the first public flight of the pioneering flying car XPENG AEROHT X2 in partnership with the Dubai International Chamber. Electric flying cars are the future of travel, and it is incredible to witness history in the making today.»
About the XPENG X2 Electric Flying Car
The XPENG X2 is the fifth-generation flying car independently developed and manufactured by XPENG AEROHT. For the first time, the X2 adopts an enclosed cockpit with a minimalist teardrop-shaped design and a sci-fi appearance that takes high-efficient aerodynamics into account to achieve the ultimate in-flight performance. In order to reduce weight, the XPENG X2 has a complete carbon fiber structure.
The XPENG X2 is a two-seater flying car. It does not produce any carbon dioxide emissions during flight and is a step forward in the pursuit of urban green transportation. It will be suitable for future low-altitude city flights and is perfect for short-distance city journeys such as sightseeing and medical transportation.
The XPENG X2 is equipped with two driving modes: manual and autonomous. During the autonomous flight, passengers can enjoy a safe and intelligent flying experience with simple start, return and landing operations at the touch of a button.
Making the XPENG X2 Dubai Flight a Reality
The XPENG X2 successfully completed the specific operations risk assessment, working in partnership with the DCAA, which granted it permission to make its first public flight in Dubai. A professional XPENG AEROHT team collected the technical information from the X2 R&D team, and with reference to the international standard model, formulated the operation concept and manual of the X2 demonstration flight, and assessed the operation risk. With the assistance of the Sanad Academy and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the risk mitigation plan has been developed to ensure that the X2 first public flight was carried out safely.
During the test, the XPENG X2 received appraisal from the DCAA reviewers for the stability, as well as the standardization of the entire flight operation process. The XPENG X2’s completion of the assessment is the first time China’s manned autonomous flying vehicle has completed its operational risk assessment overseas. XPENG AEROHT thus has become the first company to pass the assessment in Dubai in the specific weight class.
XPENG AEROHT To Announce Further Updates On the Sixth-Generation Flying Car at 1024 XPENG Tech Day
XPENG AEROHT will release the crucial achievement of R&D progress of the sixth-generation flying car, including the configuration, exterior design, and air driving method on this year’s 1024 XPENG Tech Day.
About XPENG AEROHT
Established in 2013, the company has accumulated 15,000 safe manned flights. It has won multiple industrial design awards including the Red Dot Award, IF Award, and IDEA Design Award.
XPENG AEROHT raised over US$500 million for its Series A capital funding on October 19, 2021. The funding round is led by IDG Capital, 5Y Capital and XPeng Inc. with participation by a consortium of renowned investors, including Sequoia China, Eastern Bell Capital, GGV Capital, GL Ventures and Yunfeng Capital.
XPENG is a leading tech company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets intelligent mobility solutions. We explore the diversity of mobility including electric vehicles (EVs), electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and robotics. We focus on creating a future of mobility that uses thoughtful and empathetic intelligence to improve the driving experience.
XPENG is committed to in-house R&D, with almost 40% of our employees working in R&D-related areas helping to develop our expanding product portfolio. The Company has created a full-stack Advanced Driver Assistance System (XPILOT), as well as an intelligent operating system (Xmart OS) for an enhanced in-car experience. XPENG has also developed core vehicle systems for enhanced driving capabilities, including powertrains and advanced electronic architecture.
XPENG is headquartered in Guangzhou, China with multi-regional offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley, and San Diego. In 2021, the Company established its European headquarters in Amsterdam, along with other dedicated offices in Copenhagen, Munich, Oslo, and Stockholm. XPENG’s EVs are manufactured at the fully-owned plant located in Zhaoqing, China. To further expand our production capacity, two new self-owned intelligent EV manufacturing bases in Guangzhou and Wuhan are under construction now.
(1 оценок, среднее: 4,00 из 5)
Загрузка...