Volkswagen Group’s China unit, exploring ideas for future mobility providers, unveiled a prototype of a full electrical and automatic drone at its headquarters in Beijing. 

The prototype, able to vertical take-off and touchdown, has an X-shaped wing with a span of 10.6 meters. It options eight rotors for vertical carry and two propellers for horizontal flight. 

Check flights of the prototype will start later this yr and an improved model will endure superior check flights beginning in the summertime of 2023, VW mentioned. The ultimate model of the drone is predicted to hold 4 passengers and baggage over a distance of as much as 200 km, VW Group China mentioned.

Within the first part of economic use, the drone will doubtless be marketed “as a premium product for high-net value, tech savvy Chinese language prospects,” VW mentioned, utilizing VIP air shuttle providers for example.