Flying cars collide during test: Pilot injured

Two electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) belonging to XPeng AeroHT collided mid-air. One of the vehicles burst into flames and crashed into the ground during the event, while the other managed to land safely. The pilot of the burning vehicle was reportedly uninjured.

According to the statement, the incident occurred due to insufficient clearance. The vehicle crashed into the ground after the collision, sustained body damage, and burst into flames during its descent. Footage shared on social media showed emergency crews responding to the burning eVTOL. There is no official statement yet on the condition of the injured pilot.

The company hasn't disclosed which model was involved in the accident, but it's suggested the X2, unveiled in 2021, may have been involved. Although described as a " flying car ," the X2 has no wheels, meaning it can't drive on the ground. It's actually an all-electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

THE NEVER-ENDING WAIT FOR FLYING CARS

While the dream of flying cars has been around since the mid-20th century, both technical risks and regulatory hurdles make it difficult for these vehicles to become widespread. In 2021, US-based Joby Aviation announced that it would put flying cars into service by 2024, but by 2025, that dream appears to be a long way off. The Changchun accident demonstrated that this technology is still subject to human error or technical issues. While Elon Musk's "flying Cybertruck" idea, which he's been touting for some time, is occasionally discussed, promises are often several steps ahead of reality.

In short, although the prospect of flying cars continues to generate excitement, humanity has to wait a little longer to see an era of mass production in the sky.