Flying cars, robot dogs: Five takeaways from the Munich auto show
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The Govy AirCab two-seater electric "flying car", made by a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker GAC, on display at the IAA Mobility motor show.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Chinese companies like Xpeng and GAC showcased "flying cars" like the Land Aircraft Carrier (mass production in 2026) and AirCab (1,500 on order).
- Eve Energy highlighted the Go2 robotic dog for dangerous work and China's control of the electric car supply chain for brands like BMW.
- European firms are developing innovations like Wolf eMobility's funky electric car and self-driving buses from Holon and Auve Tech.
AI generated
MUNICH – Running until Sept 14, the IAA Mobility is a major motor event which also looks at innovations in mobility. From “flying cars” to robots to self-driving buses, here are some of the innovations spotted at the fair.
1. “Give cars wings”
Chinese brands showcase their efforts to create “flying cars”, small electric aircraft powered by multiple rotors designed for short journeys.
“We want to give the car wings,” said Mr Wang Tan, co-founder of carmaker Xpeng’s aeronautical unit.
Xpeng’s Land Aircraft Carrier, an electric car that contains a fold-out, two-seat electric aircraft, should go into mass production in 2026 and be on sale in China for less than two million yuan (S$360,000).
Its uses include rescue from locations where access is difficult, such as in heavy traffic or from tall buildings, he added.
GAC’s flying car unit Govy showed off its AirCab, a two-seater self-driving electric aircraft with a top speed of 120kmh and a range of up to 30km.
“It is quieter than a helicopter and better meets people’s needs,” Govy spokeswoman Li Shuhan said. “It’s also cheaper.”
About 1,500 AirCabs are on order at 1.68 million yuan each.
The Govy Aircab is a two-seater electric “flying car” by Chinese carmaker GAC.
PHOTO: AFP
2. Robot dogs (and their batteries)
Covered in yellow fur, and with big googly eyes and a red felt tongue, the Go2 robotic dog looks cute and cuddly, but it is more than just a gimmick.
“For dangerous work, you need robots,” said Mr Todd Zhang from Eve Energy. The Chinese company makes batteries for the Go2, which is built by another Chinese outfit, Unitree Robotics.
“In the future, we’ll send robotic dogs into dangerous environments rather than human beings.”
Eve Energy also supplies German carmakers such as BMW and Porsche, highlighting China’s grip on the supply chain for electric cars.
3. Wolf on wheels
Austrian company Wolf eMobility is looking for investors to build a working prototype of its two-wheeled electric vehicle.
PHOTO: AFP
Eager to show that Europeans can innovate too, Austrian Wolfgang Podleiszek is working on a funky two-wheeled electric car that steers like a Segway and needs the driver to lean into corners.
“We’ve tried to send a signal for Europe, that we can once again dream and do something new and innovative,” he said.
Mr Podleiszek founded Wolf eMobility in 2024, and was on the hunt for investors at the motor show to build a prototype. “Once people can try it out and see just how fun it is, I think the rest will follow,” he said.
But his small firm is in the sights of German giant Volkswagen, who has taken the company to court on the grounds that “Wolf” in German sounds too similar to Volkswagen’s Golf car.
But Mr Podleiszek says “our chances are not bad” in the dispute.
4. New buses for older people
The Holon Urban is a small self-driving electric bus that can carry up to 15 passengers.
PHOTO: AFP
Companies including Germany’s Holon and Estonia’s Auve Tech displayed small self-driving buses, designed for routes where larger buses with drivers could be too expensive.
Auve Tech has 25 vehicles on the road, 20 of which are in Japan, co-founder Johannes Mossov told AFP, helped by a “strong push” from the government there.
“It’s logical because of the ageing population,” he said.
“People need public transport to be more accessible for those who might not want to drive their car or walk long distances.”
He added: “Europe will be similar in 10 to 15 years.”
5. Robot people
Chinese electric-vehicle maker Xpeng was showcasing its humanoid robot, called Iron, at the fair. Over 30 Irons are currently in training, mostly on the carmaker’s production line, although some also help with showroom sales.
“We hope we can let robots work on the production line by the end of this year,” said Mr Shi Xiaoxin, Xpeng’s head of robotics.
And by the end of 2026, they will likely be meeting and greeting customers, he added.
Iron is trained using motion sensors worn by employees, which gather data on human movement. AFP
