Editor's note: "Tech Please!" takes a sideways look at all things science and technology in China, revealing trends you won't hear about anywhere else – from cutting-edge developments to the bizarre and whimsical in the world's most exciting tech market.
Daily commuting could be quite troublesome. If you've ever imagined to have a flying car and just take off from the traffic jam, you won't have to dream much longer as that exact scenario is almost a reality in China.
In mid-October, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) gave the world's first type certificate for passenger-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to a U.S.-listed, Guangzhou-based transportation company Ehang.
The certificate allows Ehang to fly passenger-carrying autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in China. It also implies its capability to commence commercial operation in China, CEO Hu Huazhi said.
An eVTOL is powered by electricity so it's clean, and surprisingly quiet. And, unlike helicopters, they don't always require a pilot, as some are fully autonomous.
Ehang's model adopts a relatively simple design: eight rotors with 16 propellers with a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour and a maximum distance of 30 kilometers.
if you look at it, it's basically a large drone. And while that means its flying range is compromised, it's perfect for intra-city transportation. So, it could get us, say, from the central area of a city to an airport in about 10 to 15 minutes.
The tilt rotor design is of a better option, as it is more aerodynamic. California-based tech company Joby Aviation and the Shanghai-based startup TCab Tech are pioneering this design.
TCab, which means "Time Taxi" in Chinese, just finished its first round of flight tests in October on the prototype of E20, the company's tilt-rotor eVTOL.
China seems to be more encouraging in its development of these as eVTOLs are considered a major part of the country's push for sustainable aviation. In early October, the country's four ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the CAAC, jointly released a development outline on green aviation manufacturing for the period 2023-2035. It plans for eVTOL pilot operation by 2025.
Zhang Junyi, partner of a global consulting company Oliver Wayman, has been studying the industry for nearly seven years. He told CGTN that related technologies have become mature enough only recently which created the momentum of the eVTOL market, including batteries, new materials like carbon fiber, and autonomous navigation.
The certification process would also become an industry standard for other flying vehicles in China, according to Zhang. "It will drive the market growth at higher speed," he said.
Zhang believes that the country is releasing the market potential in the low-air aviation industry in fulfilling the urban transportation needs.
Low-air aviation is associated with short distance flying at lower altitudes than commercial aircrafts.
In this expanding market, eVTOLs aren't just for commuting. They can be used for so much more. For example, emergency services could use them to bypass traffic and get someone to the hospital much faster. Or, conversely, imagine using them for sightseeing, getting unique aerial views of beautiful tourist destinations.
In fact, the city of Paris is already planning for this. It is aiming to use a small fleet of electric flying taxis during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer for sightseeing and shuttling fans and athletes to and from the airport without adding to the city's already dense traffic.
Of course, regulations and safety issues are major concerns for eVTOLs, which the regulators are working alongside this booming market. Meanwhile, it could also attract talents to inject more momentum to the market.
What about you? Do you dare to hop in one of these futuristic flying machines? Leave your comments and let us know.
Scriptwriter and host: Zhao Chenchen
Copy editor: Josh McNally
Cameraman: Yang Ze
Post production: Yang Yiren
3D designer: Pan Yongzhe
Cover image designer: Zhu Shangfan
Producer: Cao Qingqing
Chief editors: Wen Yaru, Wu Gang
Executive producer: Zhang Shilei