El fabricante chino de automoviles CHERY, ha presentado su prototipo de “Auto Volador”, en la Chery Global Innovation Conference realizada recientemente en Anhui (China). El prototipo denominado “Land and Air Vehicle” no dispone de volante ni acelerador y funciona de manera completamente autónoma. En su presentación realizó un vuelo de 80km y según se informó, el sistema puede pasar fácilmente del modo terrestre al aéreo, gracias a su capacidad de despegue y aterrizaje vertical, lo que permitiría sortear congestiones de tráficos en ciudades o rutas. Con esta innovación, Chery tiene por objetivo posicionarse más fuertemente en el mercado automotriz global de sistemas autónomos.
Chinese automobile manufacturer Chery has unveiled a flying car prototype at this year’s Chery Global Innovation Conference held in Anhui, China. The prototype, named ‘Land and Air Vehicle’, is designed without a steering wheel or accelerator and comes with full autonomous driving capabilities. The futuristic vehicle has already completed a 50-mile test flight successfully. With the newest innovation, the company aims to strengthen its position in the global automotive market.
Apart from an absent steering wheel, this three-body hybrid-wing flying car is designed without a gas pedal and comprises three components: the aircraft, the intelligent cockpit, and the intelligent chassis.
According to Chery, the flying car can switch between autonomous flying and land driving modes, making it suitable for short-distance commuting in urban areas to help evade traffic congestion. In flying mode, it is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
In recent years, numerous flying car projects have been announced, mostly by companies based in China. However, only a few have advanced beyond the conceptual stage, and even fewer have been successfully tested with passengers on board. It may take years before such vehicles are put to operational use.
Advanced battery rollout
As part of the innovation conference, Chery also announced the rollout of its advanced all solid state battery, along with the launch of a new battery brand named Kunpeng.
While Kunpeng will debut with three series of batteries capable of 6C charging; the company is expecting to achieve an energy density of 400 Wh/kg with the solid state batteries by the end of this year, increasing it to 600 Wh/kg by 2025. The first car application of the solid state batteries is scheduled for 2026, followed by initial batch production in 2027, giving EVs a potential range of 1,500 km.
Kunpeng batteries to power NEVs
The three battery series under Kunpeng are square lithium iron phosphate, square ternary, and large cylindrical ternary. The square ternary batteries are designed for EVs with a range of 600-800 km and for PHEVs and EREVs with all-electric ranges of 150-300 km. They offer an energy density of 140-200 Wh/kg, support temperatures from -40°C to 65°C, and enable 2C-6C charging. The large cylindrical series, aimed at EVs with a range of 700-1200 km and PHEVs and EREVs with 150-300 km all-electric ranges, also supports 2C-6C charging.
Kunpeng series can handle over 3,000 charging cycles and features multi-section energy-absorbing technology for rapid directional pressure relief in just one second. Chery also demonstrated the resilience of its cells, showing that a cell with a cut corner remained operational.
The battery series is expected to be integrated into its NEVs (new energy vehicles) in the coming months. In September, Chery sold over 60,000 NEVs out of a total sales of 244,534 vehicle. Yin Tongyue, chairman of the company, anticipates reaching 80,000 NEV sales this month and 100,000 by year’s end.
