A Chinese four-seat electric air taxi has wrapped up its first round of test flights, according to a report from Autonocion.com. The aircraft features eight shrouded rotors built into its body, a design detail highlighted by the outlet.
Autonocion.com reports the prototype requires only 30 square meters of space to take off. Its maximum takeoff weight is listed at 1,200 kilograms. The vehicle is described as resembling something from a science fiction film, though the report offers no specifics on range, speed, or battery capacity.
The test flights mark an early milestone for the unnamed aircraft, but the report does not say when commercial service might begin or which company is developing it. The outlet also does not state where the flights took place or how many test sorties were completed.
The design choice of integrating the rotors into the fuselage is notable for urban operations, as shrouded rotors typically reduce noise and protect bystanders from spinning blades. The compact takeoff footprint of 30 square meters suggests the vehicle is aimed at tight city landing zones.
Autonocion.com’s coverage is brief and lacks technical details such as payload capacity, cruise speed, or certification timeline. The report also does not indicate whether the aircraft is piloted or intended for autonomous operation.
What to watch next: Look for the manufacturer to release performance data and a timeline for certification, which will determine whether this prototype moves beyond early testing.
