Volkswagen Group’s China unit, exploring concepts for future mobility services, unveiled a prototype of a full electric and automated drone at its headquarters in Beijing. 

The prototype, capable of vertical take-off and landing, has an X-shaped wing with a span of 10.6 meters. It features eight rotors for vertical lift and two propellers for horizontal flight. 

Test flights of the prototype will begin later this year and an improved version will undergo advanced test flights starting in the summer of 2023, VW said. The final version of the drone is expected to carry four passengers and luggage over a distance of up to 200 km, VW Group China said.

In the first phase of commercial use, the drone will likely be marketed “as a premium product for high-net worth, tech savvy Chinese customers,” VW said, using VIP air shuttle services as an example. 

Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

See more newsletter options at autonews.com/newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

Sign up and get the best of Automotive News delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

The Automotive News mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in North America.

1155 Gratiot Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207-2997

Automotive News ISSN 0005-1551 (print) ISSN 1557-7686 (online)

Fixed Ops Journal ISSN 2576-1064 (print) ISSN 2576-1072 (online)