In a significant development for the future of personal transportation, the Slovakian company Klein Vision has sold the exclusive rights to manufacture and use its groundbreaking AirCar technology within a specific region of China.
Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company, headquartered in Cangzhou, has acquired the license to produce and deploy these innovative flying vehicles in the world’s most populous nation.
AirCar: Hebei Jianxin Acquires Exclusive Manufacturing Rights
The AirCar, developed by Klein Vision, is pitched as a “game-changer” in personal transportation. The car transforms from sleek sports to functional aircraft in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds. With a 160HP BMW engine and the ability to run on standard gasoline, the AirCar can reach a top speed of 190 km/h and cover a range of 1000 km.
Under the hood, the AirCar has retractable wings, folding tail surfaces, and a sophisticated parachute deployment system, ensuring safety and aerodynamic efficiency. The car has undergone rigorous testing, completing over 70 hours of flight tests and more than 200 takeoffs and landings, all in compliance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards.
The AirCar’s capabilities have already been showcased in a series of impressive test flights in Slovakia. In 2021, the vehicle made history by completing a 35-minute flight between two Slovakian airports, seamlessly transitioning from road to sky and back again. This milestone flight and extensive testing earned AirCar a Certificate of Airworthiness from the Slovak Transport Authority in January 2022.
The acquisition of AirCar’s manufacturing rights by Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company is a significant first step towards commercialising and widespread use of flying car technology. Led by aviation enthusiast Zhu Shouchen, the Chinese firm brings a wealth of resources and expertise to the table, having previously acquired a Slovakian aircraft manufacturer and established its own airport and flight school in Cangzhou.
While the deal’s financial details remain undisclosed, the partnership between Klein Vision and Hebei Jianxin opens up a new market for AirCar in China. With the Chinese aviation industry experiencing rapid growth and the government investing heavily in infrastructure and supporting domestic airlines, the stage is set for AirCar to impact the region significantly.
China’s acquisition of the AirCar technology is not an isolated event but reflects the nation’s growing interest and investment in flying transport solutions. Several Chinese companies have made notable strides in developing and testing flying vehicles in recent years. Autoflight successfully conducted a test flight of a passenger-carrying drone between Shenzhen and Zhuhai, covering a distance that typically takes 3 hours by car in just 20 minutes. Similarly, the Chinese firm eHang was awarded a safety certificate for its electric flying taxi in 2023, further underscoring the country’s commitment to advancing aerial transportation.
While the acquisition of AirCar is a significant milestone, the road to the widespread adoption of flying cars has its challenges. Infrastructure limitations, regulatory hurdles, and public acceptance of this novel mode of transportation are key obstacles to overcome. The development of appropriate landing and takeoff facilities and the establishment of clear legal frameworks governing the operation of flying cars will be crucial in determining their viability.
China’s proactive approach to embracing emerging technologies, such as the AirCar, is a testament to its commitment to innovation and ability to rapidly scale up infrastructure projects. As the country continues to invest in research, development, and implementation of aerial transport solutions, it has the potential to emerge as a global leader in this exciting new field, inspiring other nations to follow suit.
As the AirCar takes off in China, flycar tech could reshape the future of personal transportation. The successful integration of this new technology into China’s rapidly evolving aviation landscape catalyses the global adoption of flying cars, reshaping how we travel and experience the world around us. The sky, quite literally, is the limit.
TLDR:
- Slovakian company Klein Vision sold exclusive rights to manufacture AirCar flying car technology to Chinese firm Hebei Jianxin.
- AirCar transitions from car to aircraft in 2 minutes, has a 1000 km range and received a Certificate of Airworthiness in Slovakia.
- China’s acquisition reflects its growing interest in flying transport solutions and its potential to become a leader in the field.
- Challenges include infrastructure, regulations, and public acceptance, but China’s resources and approach could accelerate adoption.
- The partnership combines Slovakian engineering with Chinese manufacturing and market reach, potentially catalysing the global adoption of flying cars.
