It was hoisted 10 meters above a parking lot outside the Tokyo Big Sight convention center in Tokyo’s Koto Ward.
A flying car debuted for the first time at an international tech event in Tokyo. The car flew 10 meters up with a pilot in a parking lot outside the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center in the city’s Koto Ward. The car is named ‘Hexa’, which has been developed by American company Lift Aircraft Inc.
There are 18 propellers installed on the top of the Hexa. It is 4.5 meters wide, 2.6 meters high and weighs approximately 196 kilograms. This is a single seat car, which can land on both land and water. In India too, three companies including Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki are working on electric flying cars.
The flying car was shown flying in front of 500 people at the Sushi Tech Tokyo-2024 event.
The Chinese company XPeng and Hyundai also made a flying car
Chinese company XPeng and Hyundai’s advanced air mobility company Supernal showcased their flying cars at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, the biggest tech event of the year, held in January in Las Vegas, USA. Apart from this, Sky Drive Inc., Pal-V Liberty and Next Future Aska are also developing their flying cars.
Chinese company XPeng introduced flying car
XPeng Aero HT introduced its flying car at CES-2024. It will be mass produced in 2025. The fully-electric piloted aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff/landing and low altitude flights. It supports manual and autonomous flight modes.
Hyundai’s electric flying taxi will arrive by 2028
Hyundai’s advanced air mobility company Supernal unveiled its electric flying taxi at CES-2024. The S-A2 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. It will be able to fly at a speed of 120 miles per hour at a height of 1,500 feet.
It is designed to travel 50-60 Km. It has 8 tilting rotors and a distributed electric propulsion system. Supernal plans to officially launch the vehicle in 2028.
Three companies are making flying cars in India
Mahindra Set to Unveil India’s First Air Taxi Next Year
Anand Mahindra, chairman of automobile company Mahindra Group, recently confirmed in a post on X that India will get its first electric air taxi by next year. He has also shared photos of a prototype model. This electric air taxi will be developed in ePlane, an initiative company of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
The air taxi will be like a two-seater aircraft. It will provide air travel facility to the public in future. Its maximum range will be 200 km. It will fly at an average speed of 200 km per hour with a cruising ability of 160 km per hour.
Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Car Takes Flight From Your Own Roof
Chennai-based Vinata Aeromobility company in India is making hybrid flying cars. The company says that it will be able to fly even from the roof of the house without any runway. The company had shown the car model to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for the first time.
The hybrid flying car can fly for 60 minutes at a top speed of 120 kmph. It can fly up to 3,000 feet above ground level. The weight of the two seater car is 1100 kg, which can take off with a maximum weight of 1300 kg. The company claims that its range is up to 100 kilometers.
Maruti Suzuki to Launch Affordable Flying Car by 2025
Maruti Suzuki, along with its parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), is building a flying electric car. The company has partnered with Japanese startup Skydrive for this. It can be used as an electric flying taxi service in urban areas. The company is considering manufacturing it in India.
Kento Ogura, assistant manager of the company’s Global Automobile Planning Department, recently told an event that if we come here under Make in India, then flying cars will definitely be affordable here. “With 12 units of motors and rotors, it is expected to be launched at the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan,” Ogura said.
The three-passenger edition will initially have a range of 15 km. It is expected to double to 30 km by 2029 and then to 40 km by 2031.
Benefits of A Flying Car
- Say goodbye to traffic woes: Zoom past gridlocked streets and enjoy smooth sailing through the skies. No more bumper-to-bumper nightmares!
- Ultimate freedom: Forget about sticking to roads or waiting for public transport schedules. With a flying car, you’re the master of your own adventure, going wherever the wind (or your whim) takes you.
- Beat the rush: Need to be somewhere in a flash? No problem! Skip the long drives and tedious commutes. Your flying car gets you there in record time.
- Explore uncharted territory: Imagine exploring remote locations or reaching destinations inaccessible by traditional vehicles. With a flying car, the world is your oyster!
- Flexibility at its finest: Land on both land and water with ease. Whether it’s a busy city or a serene lake, your flying car handles it all like a champ.