The Zhiyuan Research Institute in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, unveiled a wearable, electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle on April 27.
The new vehicle has three propellers, is designed for one person, and is touted as the world's first of its kind. The electric propellers are arranged on both sides and the rear, increasing the reliability of power, noise control, and aerodynamic efficiency in hover mode. It can be used for a variety of aerial activities such as emergency rescue, electrical maintenance, skyscraper cleaning, sightseeing, and border patrol.
In case of emergency, the pilot can separate from the vehicle with just one click, deploying a low-altitude parachute to ensure a safe landing, the Zhiyuan Research Institute said. The ground station-supported control system also simplifies the operation process, allowing the pilot to hover stably and hands-free in autonomous flight mode, while increasing the mobility of airborne missions.
To ensure the vehicle's power, the research team developed an electric system with a high thrust-to-weight ratio thanks to aerodynamic optimization. Through cooperation with universities and extensive flight testing, they also created a flight control system with good anti-interference ability, ensuring safe operation in complex environments.
According to a report released at the Spring Meeting of the 2nd Global Low-Altitude Economic Forum in Beijing on April 27, drones are shifting from serving consumer applications to more specialized, larger-scale applications.
Luo Jun, CEO of the China Low-altitude Economy Alliance, said that drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be applied to more scenarios in the future and combined with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The market size of this type in China is estimated to exceed 1 trillion yuan (US$137.23 billion) by 2030.
Last August, the Tianmushan No. 1 multi-rotor drone of Tianmushan Laboratory successfully completed its maiden flight in Hangzhou. Introduced as the world's first 100-km-range hydrogen drone, it can be applied in a variety of scenarios such as oil and gas exploration, electricity inspection, emergency rescue, forest protection, and water conservation monitoring. The flight marked a remarkable achievement in drone technology and the low-altitude economy that China is striving to develop.
(According to Global Times, ECNS)