[imagesource: Xpeng Aeroht]

A flying car made its first public flight in Dubai this week.

The X2, a two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that is lifted by eight propellers, has been designed for low-altitude city trips.

The main idea is to use it for sightseeing and medical transportation.

It took its first little spin around Dubai, and landed softly, with people on the ground watching on in awe.

The company that made it, XPeng Aeroht, an affiliate of Chinese electric-vehicle maker XPeng Inc., has used the launch as a way to bring the electric aircraft to international markets.

Behold the unmanned, 90-second test flight:

X2 flying car’s first public flight is officially launched. Let’s take a look at the scene together! #XPENGAEROHT #GITEXGLOBAL #FutureIsNow #FlyingCar pic.twitter.com/5o7JKKFe9f

— XPENG AEROHT (@XPENG_AEROHT) October 11, 2022

TimesLIVE notes that X2’s manufacturer described the moment as an “important base for the next generation of flying cars”, as well as the company’s exploration of future mobility:

Although this flight was unmanned, the vehicle does have both manual and autonomous flying modes.

X2 is XPeng Aeroht’s fifth-generation flying car, per Bloomberg, with the company working on its sixth-generation model with the aim of driving on roads.

If all comes together in time, it will fly at the 1024 XPeng Tech Day, due to take place on October 24.

According to Morgan Stanley, the flying car market could reach $1 trillion by 2040.

[sources:timeslive&bloomberg]