Five takeaways from the Munich auto show

MUNICH Running until Sept 14, the IAA Mobility is a major motor event which also looks at innovations in mobility.

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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 foldout, 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.