Many companies are currently developing pure electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, but this Chinese company had a sudden idea to create this “flying saucer,” becoming the world’s first manned flying saucer. However, it is uncertain whether it will be the last.
This flying saucer, named iUFO, lives up to its name in appearance. It can reach a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour and fly up to 200 meters high. Its endurance is 15 minutes. While it cannot take you to outer space, it is more than sufficient for city sightseeing.
Upon closer inspection, one can notice that the propulsion of this flying saucer actually comes from the rotating propellers in six openings. According to the official statement, this design increases its safety redundancy threefold. In other words, even if all four sets of rotors malfunction, there are still two sets that can safely land the flying saucer. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that this flying saucer has the ability to land on both water and land.
The company that developed this flying saucer is aptly named “Shenzhen UFO Flying Saucer Technology.” It took them three years to create this visually stunning vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which also has autonomous driving capabilities. They hope to use it for purposes such as sightseeing tours and advertising performances in the future.
We have reported on eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) of this kind extensively. Most companies believe that they could become a new option for urban commuting in the future. With just one professional pilot, these aircraft could transport 4 to 6 people quickly to their destinations, serving as a high-end mass transportation option between taxis and helicopters.
However, this highly-discussed flying saucer does not possess that capability. While it can carry passengers, it can only accommodate one person. It’s hard to imagine using it for “sightseeing tours” where passengers board by themselves and rely solely on autonomous driving. This safety concern is likely to deter most countries worldwide from attempting such a concept.
In the short term, this flying saucer might excel in the fields of advertising and performances. It might even receive offers for movie appearances. However, in practical applications, its design does not bring substantial benefits and instead reduces passenger space. Its future development prospects are likely to be very limited.
