Flying Car Technology

 Chinese Firm Acquires European Flying Car Technology

The tech behind a flying car, originally developed and successfully test-flown in Europe, has been bought by a Chinese firm. Powered by a BMW engine and normal fuel, the AirCar flew for 35 minutes between two Slovakian airports in 2021, using runways for take-off and landing. It took just over two minutes to transform from a car into an aircraft. Now vehicles made based on its design will be used within a "specific geographical region" of China. Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company, headquartered in Cangzhou, has purchased exclusive rights to manufacture and use AirCar aircraft inside an undisclosed area. Following are the some of important points:-

A Chinese firm acquired the technology behind AirCar, a flying car developed and tested in Europe which can transition from car to aircraft in just over two minutes.

China demonstrates interest in flying transport solutions, with successful test flights of passenger drones and electric flying taxis.

Despite their potential to revolutionize transportation, challenges remain in infrastructure, regulation, and public acceptance of flying cars.

Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company secures exclusive rights to manufacture and use AirCar aircraft in China.

A Chinese firm has acquired the technology behind a revolutionary flying car, originally developed and test-flown in Europe, signaling a new chapter in the evolution of transportation. The AirCar, powered by a BMW engine and conventional fuel, made headlines in 2021 when it completed a 35-minute flight between two Slovakian airports, seamlessly transitioning from car to aircraft in just over two minutes using traditional runways for take-off and landing. The firm has built its own airport and flight school after a previous acquisition from another Slovak aircraft manufacturer, said Anton Zajac, cofounder of KleinVision, the company which created AirCar. Having led the way in the development of the EV revolution, China is now actively developing flying transport solutions.

Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company, based in Cangzhou, has secured exclusive rights to manufacture and utilize AirCar aircraft within a specified region in China. The acquisition follows the firm’s establishment of an airport and flight school, building upon a previous acquisition from a Slovak aircraft manufacturer. Last month a firm called Autoflight carried out a test flight of a passenger-carrying drone between the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The journey, which takes three hours by car, was completed in 20 minutes, it said - although the aircraft contained no passengers.

And in 2023 the Chinese firm eHang was awarded a safety certificate by Chinese officials for its electric flying taxi. Here, the UK government has said flying taxis could become a regular feature of the skies by 2028. China’s interest in flying transport solutions mirrors its pioneering role in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Similarly, eHang interest indicate China’s commitment to exploring innovative mobility solutions. Government wants flying taxis taking off in 2 years. But unlike these drone-like passenger aircrafts(vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) passenger aircraft), AirCar requires a traditional runway for operation. Despite its ground breaking capabilities, challenges remain in terms of infrastructure, regulation and public acceptance.

KleinVision declined to say how much it had sold the technology for. AirCar was issued with a certificate of airworthiness by the Slovak Transport Authority in 2022 and featured in a video published by YouTuber Mr Beast earlier this year. There are still considerable hurdles for this form of transportation. "This brave new world of personal transport is acting as a great leveller," said aviation consultant Steve Wright. Global attempts to regulate the sector left "everyone scrambling to come up with a whole new set of questions that need to be asked". Similar concerns once applied to electric cars - in which China which has become a global market leader. The sale of the Slovakian AirCar could raise questions about whether China might be poised to do the same with flying cars.

The sale of AirCar’s technology to a Chinese firm underscores China’s potential to lead in the development of flying cars, much like its dominance in the electric vehicle market. Aviation consultant Steve Wright highlights the need for a regulatory framework to address the unique challenges posed by this emerging mode of transport, suggesting that China’s proactive approach may position it as a frontrunner in this space. "In this respect the West's history can sometimes slow things down, as there is a bit of a temptation to try and squeeze these new machines into the old categories," Mr Wright added. "China could well see this as an opportunity to get ahead." Mr Wright said while prototypes like the AirCar were "great fun", the reality was likely to end up being more mundane "with queues and baggage checks and whatnot".

While prototypes like AirCar capture the imagination, the reality of flying cars may involve logistical considerations such as queues and security checks. Nonetheless, the acquisition signals a significant step towards realizing the vision of personalized aerial transportation.