Volkswagen's first manned aircraft was unveiled, which can carry four passengers.

Volkswagen's first manned aircraft was unveiled, which can carry four passengers.

Volkswagen's first manned aircraft was unveiled, which can carry four passengers. In 2020, Audi AG (China) launched the air mobile travel project to explore the next generation travel solutions. Volkswagen's first manned aircraft was unveiled, which can carry four passengers.

Volkswagen's first manned aircraft appeared, which can carry four passengers. 1. Seeing that air travel has become a craze, the people who build cars can't help but participate.

Yes, people who build cars will go to heaven. Don't get me wrong, it's not good enough to fly directly. Volkswagen wants to build a manned plane. Although everyone has heard enough about flying machines and flying cars, it is really a brand-new attempt for the public.

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As early as two years ago, Audi AG (China) started the air mobile travel project. In February last year, Herbert Diess, the current CEO of Volkswagen Group, also posted a video on social networking sites, saying that Volkswagen hopes to develop a licensed drone to lay the foundation for participating in the future market.

In order to develop better and more professional products, audi ag set up a team of local experts in China to promote the progress of air mobile travel projects, and also worked closely with local partners in China, such as Hunan He Shan Science and Technology, the market leader in the field of light sports aircraft.

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After nearly three years of research, conceptual design and product development, the project team finally completed the first verification machine-V. Mo. As a product that is still in the experimental stage, the prototype is based on the existing autopilot scheme and battery technology, which can realize long-distance flight in the air!

Zero-emission driving, with a maximum journey of 200 kilometers.

This prototype, named V.MO, uses black and gold colors similar to the tiger pattern to commemorate the completion of this important project in the Year of the Tiger in China, which has a beautiful meaning of "adding wings to the tiger". In appearance, compared with other grotesque foreign planes, its design is more everyday, a bit like a pair of wings on a Beetle car.

In terms of fuselage structure, the prototype is designed as a luxurious X-wing configuration, with a wing length of 1 1.2m and a wingspan of10.6m. Eight vertical take-off and landing rotors and two horizontal propellers are equipped on both sides, which greatly meets the mixed balance of lift and thrust in the configuration.

The verb (verb's abbreviation) MO is a product for traveling between urban agglomerations, which can accommodate four passengers from one city to another. Moreover, it is fully automatic driving without manual operation, which is equivalent to changing direction to make room for users. Now, don't worry about the embarrassment of a threesome.

In terms of power, the prototype will create zero-emission mobile travel based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technology. Compared with the traditional intercity transportation mode, it is expected to provide more time-saving, efficient, green and low-cost solutions for urban residents and further expand the carrying capacity of urban air traffic services.

Since the manned aircraft is still in the prototype stage, no more details flow out. However, Volkswagen said that it will further optimize the plan through several rounds of flight tests in the second half of this year, and the improved prototype will undergo a higher standard flight test at the end of summer 2023.

In the end, this pure electric, completely autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft will carry passengers and luggage for up to 200 kilometers.

A man who built a car and ran to build a manned plane really made him figure it out. It is no wonder that since the exposure of V.MO, many netizens are curious, and everyone has said that it is very futuristic. Some netizens spoke at the bottom and asked: Can I open a driver's license C?

However, amid a lot of praise, many netizens raised concerns about the mass production of the manned aircraft. After all, from the existing experience, the prototype can be built, which does not mean that it can be safe and smooth, and it can fly in the air in the way envisaged by the team.

It is difficult to achieve mass production and there are many problems.

Also flying in the air, the plane is a long-distance means of transportation, and the parking place is a specially set apron, which is sparsely populated. As a daily means of transportation in the future, the application scenario of electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft is point-to-point transportation in densely populated urban space.

Therefore, it has to face many problems, such as safety, cost, regulations and so on. Well, technically, the plane is so safe. As long as the technology can keep up with the safety of small aircraft, I believe this kind of problem can still be solved before putting it into practice.

But once it comes to technical issues, the cost of research and development will come up. After all, this is a new thing and all kinds of technologies need to be pondered. Under this layer of overweight, its cost will eventually come up. This directly affects its price, which is why some netizens ridicule under the official blog: it can not only carry people, but also kill people.

In addition, in addition to various technical and price factors, a realistic factor that restricts electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft at present is regulations. Let's say it's from the aviation system. Once this kind of vehicle has an accident, it will interfere with the ground traffic and be very troublesome.

Therefore, the ideal is beautiful, the reality is cruel, and there are still many problems to be solved before the public. But at present, it should consider the product itself and how to do it better.

As for the use of manned aircraft in the future, Volkswagen said that in the initial stage of commercial application, V.MO will provide VIP air shuttle service to create a high-end experience and bring users faster, more efficient and more flexible travel. Good ... this kind of service must cost a lot of money.

In fact, it is not just the public. With the rapid rise of the urban air traffic market, many enterprises have stepped into this field of "building airplanes".

Car companies have entered the market, and air travel has become a hot potato.

Throughout the country, well-known car companies such as Geely Automobile and Xpeng Automobile have invested in "flying cars". There are both electric vertical takeoff and landing routes and amphibious vehicles. Among them, the sixth-generation flying car released by Tucki is expected to be mass-produced in 2024, and the speed is shocking.

At this year's CCTV Lantern Festival, two actors shuttled between giant lanterns in the flying car of Tucki traveler X 1, which became a highlight at that time.

In addition to the above-mentioned enterprises, it is also reported that GAC is developing flying cars.

These two days, someone saw on the recruitment website that Guangzhou Automobile Research Institute is recruiting engineers in the field of aircraft, with salaries ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 yuan.

There are indications that the prospect of air travel is good. You might as well guess who will be the next player in the field of flying cars?

I hope this day will come as soon as possible with the entry of Volkswagen and other automobile manufacturers. At that time, just like in science fiction movies, when taking a taxi, we directly set the destination: the first balcony of Unit X, Building 2, XX Community. Even without an elevator, point-to-point transportation from room to room is carried out directly.

Volkswagen's first manned aircraft was unveiled, which can carry four passengers. On July 27th, Audi AG (China) released the first electric vertical takeoff and landing manned aircraft prototype (electric vertical takeoff and landing) to explore and develop all-electric and sustainable personal mobile travel.

It is understood that in 2020, Audi AG (China) launched the air mobile travel project to explore the next generation travel solutions, including expanding the urban air traffic market and urban traffic to the airspace. After in-depth research, concept construction and development, the project team has completed the first verification machine-V. Mo. In order to commemorate the milestone of the Year of the Tiger in China, the prototype has adopted a unique black and gold color matching design, which means "adding wings to the tiger".

Core summary:

1, Audi ag (China) released the first electric vertical take-off and landing (electric vertical take-off and landing) manned aircraft prototype-v.mo.

2. Urban air traffic will become an important market segment in the future mobile travel field. The group launched an air mobile travel project in China. In the first stage, we will create a brand-new high-end travel concept for high-net-worth customers in China who are pursuing innovative technology experience.

3. The electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft with pure electric and autonomous flight can fly 200 kilometers with four passengers and luggage.

4. Dr. Feng, CEO of Audi AG (China), said: "Our long-term goal is to promote industrialization in this field, and we are committed to opening up new opportunities in this emerging and rapidly developing market."

It is reported that the prototype is based on the existing autonomous driving solution and battery technology to create zero-emission mobile travel. The prototype is designed as a luxurious X-wing configuration, with a wing length of 1 1.2m and a wingspan of10.6m. Eight rotors are used for vertical takeoff and landing, and two propellers are used for heading and horizontal propulsion. In the second half of this year, Volkswagen Group will further optimize the scheme through several rounds of flight tests, and the improved prototype will undergo a higher standard flight test at the end of summer 2023.

This pure electric, completely autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft will eventually fly 200 kilometers with four passengers and luggage.

Dr. Feng, CEO of Audi AG (China), said: "We are committed to building high-end mobile travel products through this pioneering project, so as to meet the needs of China customers for innovative technologies and future air mobile travel services, and further carry forward the excellent tradition of Volkswagen in the fields of precision engineering, design and innovation. Our team of young experts from China started from scratch, used brand-new design concepts and materials to formulate new safety standards, and constantly injected innovative vitality into this groundbreaking project.

The appearance of V.MO verification machine is the first important milestone in our exploration of urban air traffic, which once again demonstrates the development mission of the Group "in China, for China". Our long-term goal is to promote industrialization in this field, and we are committed to opening up new opportunities in this emerging and rapidly developing market. "

At present, Volkswagen China is rapidly expanding its local R&D and software capabilities, and has set up a young team of local experts in China to promote the progress of the air mobile travel project. They have interdisciplinary innovative thinking in new fields, and work closely with local partners in China, such as Hunan He Shan Science and Technology. Hunan He Shan Science and Technology is a subsidiary of He Shan Intelligent Equipment Group, which is located in Hunan Province. It is engaged in the development, sales and service of aviation products and is a market leader in the field of light sports aircraft.

Volkswagen China said that the urban air traffic market is rising rapidly, and its core is to use air space, especially to realize low-altitude short-distance and midway traffic between big cities. In China, the development of this field will ease the traffic congestion in big cities and play an important role in future urban and inter-city traffic.

In the initial stage of commercial application, V.MO will create high-end travel products, such as VIP air shuttle service, for domestic high-net-worth customers who pursue innovative technology experience. Compared with the current traditional ground transportation mode, electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft will realize faster, more efficient and more flexible travel. With the development of air mobile travel projects, the Group will cooperate with relevant departments in China to obtain certification.

Volkswagen's first manned plane appeared, which can carry four passengers. In the field of flying cars, China has welcomed new car companies and players.

On July 25th, it was reported that Guangzhou Automobile Group was developing flying cars. On the recruitment website, Guangzhou Automobile Research Institute is recruiting engineers in the field of aircraft. On July 27th, Audi AG (China) released the first electric vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft prototype-V. MO, which is a step forward in the field of air mobile travel in the future.

It is no accident that the two major car companies have successively set foot in the flying car market. In the China market, Geely and Tucki have already been laid out. In 20021year, the Outline of International Integrated Three-dimensional Transportation Network clearly put forward the development of low-altitude economy for the first time. As a part of the future travel market, flying cars are generally optimistic in the industry.

Guangzhou Automobile and Volkswagen, blindly following the trend or long-term investment?

According to Zhang Fan, vice president of Guangzhou Automobile Research Institute, Guangzhou Automobile will carry out extensive layout in future travel technology and will study vehicles in various travel scenarios. As the current trend of the automobile industry, flying cars have a certain technical threshold, and GAC will certainly not ignore it.

Among the many positions of aircraft engineers recruited, the salary range given by Guangzhou Automobile Research Institute is 20,000-40,000, and the salary is quite generous. The recruitment scope also covers flight test, equipment procurement, standardization system construction, autonomous driving, structural design and other talents. It can be seen that GAC should be serious about the research and development of flying cars, rather than following the trend.

According to the data, in 20021year, GAC achieved 214,440 vehicles, up 4.92% year-on-year, and its net profit was 7.335 billion yuan, up 22.95% year-on-year. In the case of the decline of the performance of most traditional car companies, the growth of GAC is particularly eye-catching. At present, the transformation of GAC mainly focuses on electrification, while AEON and Chuanqi focus on EV and hybrid markets respectively and have achieved good results.

Last year, GAC invested 5.2 billion yuan in R&D and submitted 2,580 new patent applications. In the positioning of the company, Guangzhou Automobile and Xpeng Motors, both in Guangzhou, are in the same direction, and their goals are science and technology enterprises.

Volkswagen China laid out flying cars two years earlier than GAC. In 2020, Audi AG (China) will launch a vertical travel project to develop solutions for urban air traffic and urban traffic expansion into airspace.

The V.MO manned aircraft launched this time, with automatic driving mode and pure electric, can carry four passengers and the flight distance can reach 200 kilometers, which is very suitable for short-distance travel scenes. After further optimization and improvement, this aircraft is expected to conduct a test flight in the late summer of 2023.

Volkswagen is currently facing the same transition period as GAC. In addition to electrification and surpassing Tesla's goal, Volkswagen also needs to expand in many fields such as autonomous driving, software development, power batteries and charging networks. This will be an extremely difficult road for a global auto giant.

Volkswagen has taken the lead in the field of flying cars. After all, most car companies have no layout, which means that in the future travel market, the public holds the initiative.

Geely and Tucki, can we go to the end first?

Geely's flying car business was laid out from 20 17, from the acquisition of Terrafugia (Lee Tae), an American flying car company, to the establishment of Volong Kongtai in 2026 54 38+09 with air travel company Volocopter. Geely has always kept a low profile in the field of flying cars.

According to reports, Lee Tae TF- 1 flying car only needs 1 minute to switch between car and flight mode, with a cruising range of 640 kilometers and a top speed of160 km/h/h. Unfortunately, this flying car has no vertical take-off and landing function and needs a runway of 30 meters to get into the sky. It is said that the TF-2 being developed will solve the problems of autonomous driving and vertical takeoff and landing.

On the other hand, Xpeng Motors has been exploring the field of flying cars for nine years, thanks to Xiao Peng's ecological enterprise Tucki Tian Hui. As early as 20 13, Tucki Tian Hui began to develop airplanes. Last year, it received more than $500 million in Series A financing, with investors including IDG Capital, Sequoia China, Gaoyou Venture Capital and other well-known investment institutions. Tucki Tian Hui's reputation soared.

What really made Tucki's flying cars famous was the sixth generation flying cars released by Tucki on "1024 Science and Technology Day" last year. Not only can you switch between flying and landing freely, but the design is more in line with the public's imagination of flying cars, rather than the appearance of aircraft, which is very sci-fi. However, it is such a sci-fi product that it claimed at the press conference that it would strive for mass production in 2024, and the price did not exceed 654.38+0 million yuan, which immediately set off a hot discussion in the industry.

Tucki applied the intelligent assisted driving, intelligent voice and other functions of smart cars to flying cars, which reduced the driving difficulty of flying cars to the level of driving, and it can be said that the use threshold of flying cars was greatly reduced.

Voyager X2, which is often used for testing now, can carry the weight of two people, with the maximum flying speed of 130km/h, and can fly at a low altitude below1000m for 35 minutes. It has the functions of autonomous flight path planning, ground monitoring, no dead angle environment perception, self-help return landing, 100 km two-way real-time communication and so on, and has become a star technology product after its appearance in Europe.