China is aiming to be the first country in the world to allow flying taxis.
This follows the Chinese Government’s declaration that a “low-altitude economy” is now a strategic priority in the national economic agenda.
Advanced Air Mobility researcher Abdulghani Mohamed, from the RMIT University in Victoria, said the move had the potential to reduce road traffic in China and across the world.
Shanghai-based Autoflight had already completed a successful test flight of its flying vehicles at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Dr Mohamed said, despite successful tests, it was likely to be several years before flying cars were commonplace.
“There are several challenges which both industry and academics worldwide are working on solving, particularly focused on safe and sustainable operation of this new mode of transport,” he said.
“This includes safe flight routes, avoiding wildlife, noise reduction and operation in windy and turbulent conditions.
“The latter is particularly important for site selection of a vertiport, which is essential to China, and the rest of the world, setting up its low-altitude economy.”
Dr Mohamed said flying vehicles could revolutionise transportation by using fully electric aircraft to move people and parcels autonomously.
Manufacturers of the vehicles believe they will lower vehicle operating costs, allow rapid cargo movement and improve tourist access to regional areas.
