At the Munich auto show (IAA Mobility 2025), automakers and tech firms revealed what might be the next stage in mobility: flying cars, robot helpers, compact buses, and quirky electric vehicles grounded in fun and function, reports Tech Xplore.
- Flying Cars Take Off
Chinese producers are pushing flying vehicles for short-range trips. Xpeng’s Land Aircraft Carrier offers a car with a fold-out, two-seat aircraft due for mass production in 2026, targeting difficult-access use cases, such as rescues or traffic-bound emergencies. GAC’s Govy unveiled its AirCab: a quieter, self-driving electric aircraft with a 30-km range and a top speed of 120 km/h. Orders already amount to about 1,500 AirCabs. - Robot Dogs (and Batteries)
“Robot dogs” are more than novelty. The Go2, fluffy, playful-looking, is built by Unitree with batteries from Eve Energy. Its intended role: operate in dangerous environments where it is safer than sending humans. - European Ride Reinvention
Europeans are also pushing innovation. The Wolf etu is a two-wheeled electric car that steers like a Segway; the idea is fun, compact, urban-friendly mobility. Smaller firms showcased such models to show Europe can still dream bold and attract investors. - Self-Driving Buses for the Aging Population
Smaller self-driving buses were displayed, aimed especially at serving areas where full-size buses are too costly, or routes have low demand. Manufacturers such as Holon and Auve Tech are expanding deployment, especially in aging societies like Japan. - Humanoid Robots Joining the Workforce
Xpeng’s Iron, a humanoid robot, is being trained for industrial roles (production line) and showroom work. Motion sensors record human movement so Iron can learn gestures, tasks, and interactions.