Low-altitude Travel Tech Takes Centre Stage at China’s 2026 World Intelligent Industry Expo

Xinhua News Agency reports cutting-edge low-altitude mobility equipment and intelligent air traffic supervision systems have been showcased at the 2026 World Intelligent Industry Expo, presenting mature technological achievements that bring futuristic urban low-altitude travel scenarios into real-life application. A wide range of innovative low-altitude economic products are displayed in the Low-altitude Economy and Smart Life Exhibition Hall, demonstrating diversified technological progress and industrial exploration in China’s emerging low-altitude sector.

Multiple functional and aesthetically advanced aircraft models attract extensive attention from visiting audiences. A versatile new-generation aircraft developed by Beijing Flight Era Technology stands out among exhibits, featuring a sedan-style cabin design that delivers user-friendly visual and experiential advantages compared with traditional industrial-style aerial vehicles.

The aircraft integrates dual technical strengths of rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft configurations. Equipped with six sets of rotors and a full tilting mechanism, it supports stable vertical take-off and landing before switching to fixed-wing cruise mode during flight. The dual design balances flexible vertical operation and energy-efficient long-distance cruising performance, with a maximum payload of 500 kilograms and a full-load cruising range of 500 kilometres. The versatile technical specifications enable wide adaptability for urban short and medium-distance commuting, emergency rescue and commercial operational scenarios.

Embedded with self-developed intelligent flight control systems, the aircraft greatly lowers operational thresholds for aerial travel. Full autonomous flight functions will be realised in subsequent operational upgrades, allowing ordinary users to complete independent low-altitude journeys without professional piloting skills.

Another popular exhibit at the expo is a compact unmanned electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft developed by EHang Intelligent Equipment. The two-seat eVTOL boasts a wingspan of approximately six metres with a lightweight and flexible fuselage structure, suitable for diverse urban take-off and landing environments. Adopting pure electric propulsion, the vehicle operates with low noise and delivers comfortable riding experiences, with a maximum cruising range of 30 kilometres to fully meet urban short-distance travel demands.

Powered by mature unmanned driving technology, the eVTOL supports one-click route planning and automatic arrival at designated destinations. It can serve as an urban air taxi for daily commuting and support low-altitude cultural tourism sightseeing projects, enriching urban leisure and mobility scenarios.

Alongside the rapid iteration of low-altitude travel equipment, matched intelligent supervision systems provide solid guarantees for orderly industrial development. China Tower Tianjin Branch displays full-chain low-altitude safety management technologies and practical application solutions at the exhibition. The integrated supervision system enables real-time full-process monitoring, black-and-white list management and intelligent early warning for low-altitude aircraft activities.

Intelligent air route planning and scheduling systems deliver automatic route generation and flight conflict detection under complex urban airspace conditions, standardising operational order and eliminating potential safety hazards for low-altitude flights. The coordinated development of terminal equipment and supervision infrastructure builds a comprehensive safety guarantee system for large-scale low-altitude economic application.

Industry data released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China shows China’s low-altitude economy market scale is expected to exceed 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. Continuous technological iteration and scenario expansion will accelerate the popularisation of intelligent low-altitude travel and aerial logistics services. The maturing industrial system will reshape urban three-dimensional traffic patterns and inject new vitality into urban public service and commercial economic development.