With the automotive industry rapidly evolving into the era of artificial intelligence, there exists an intriguing trend highlighted by Zhang Yongwei, the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Electric Vehicle 100 ForumHe noted that the future landscape of transportation can be categorized into three distinct avenues: "on the road" embodies smart vehicles, "up in the air" represents flying cars and low-altitude industries, while "standing tall" symbolizes humanoid robots and embodied intelligenceThese burgeoning arenas, particularly flying cars and humanoid robots, are driving a wave of industrial changes and opportunities, with chips emerging as the keystone of this transformative landscape.

This racing lane not only presents a battleground for international giants but ignites the ambitions and vigor of numerous Chinese semiconductor firms, all striving to carve out their early advantages in this anticipated competitive landscapeThe advent of the flying car market signifies a remarkable shift; heralded by the 2021 incorporation of "low-altitude economy" into national transportation plans, the sector has seen tremendous growth and recognitionBy 2024, it has been ceremoniously dubbed the inaugural year of the low-altitude economy, seizing the interest of various automotive and tech companies eager to capitalize on this new direction.

In January 2025, XPeng Motors showcased its split-style flying car "Landi Aircraft Carrier" at the North American CES, revealing an astonishing collection of over 3,000 pre-ordersAdditionally, Guangzhou Automobile Group's newly minted flying car brand "GOVY" launched its first product, the AirJet, in December of the previous yearSimilarly, Geely Group has made significant progress, having acquired Terrafugia, the world’s first flying car company, and successfully conducted public demonstrations of its self-developed AE200 model eVTOLNot to be outdone, companies such as Chery, Changan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Daimler, and Porsche are also immersing themselves into the flying car segment, hoping to secure advantageous positions in this emerging industry.

Currently, there are over 200 flying car projects underway globally, reflecting a flourishing atmosphere of innovation and product maturation, inching ever closer to commercialization

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The momentum driving the flying car industry is undeniable; however, as the traditional automotive sector grapples with transformative challenges across technical research and development, companies must ramp up their investments to navigate the intensifying competitive landscapeWhy, then, are so many companies seemingly diverting their focus to the flying car domain at this crucial juncture?

As Luo Jun, Executive Director of the China Low Altitude Economy Alliance, points out, there exists significant technical synergy between smart vehicles and flying carsOverlapping supply chains and manufacturing processes inherently connect the two markets, representing a pivotal transition path for the traditional automotive industryTechnologically speaking, flying cars, much like automobiles, are high-integration products relying on electrification and intelligent technologyThese innovations integrate cutting-edge technologies such as the three electric components of new energy vehicles, smart driving capabilities, network communication, and lightweight structures while branching into aerospace and artificial intelligence.

Experts have noted that approximately 80% of the supply chain relevant to flying cars in China is inherently linked to automobiles, particularly the foundations built around new energy vehiclesIn terms of large-scale manufacturing, automotive firms possess established production systems and supply chain resources capable of driving enhanced production efficiency and cost reduction for flying cars.

Recent industry developments illustrate this progressionIn less than two years, VoFly successfully brought its first aircraft to market, a feat significantly aided by the supply chain support from Geely MotorsCEO Guo Liang acknowledged the pivotal role Geely's supply chain played throughout the process, employing systems from Geely's Zeekr brand—such as advanced charging systems and 800V high-voltage charging technology—as part of its infrastructure

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Moreover, the shared elements between eVTOL and the "three electric systems" in new energy vehicles account for as much as 70% overlap within the supply chain.

XPeng Huitian capitalizes on the extensive resources of XPeng Motors in supply chain management, autonomous driving, and propulsion technology, showcasing collaborative efforts across multiple technology domainsInternationally, firms like Lilium have identified substantial overlap in their bill of materials (BOM) cost structures, wherein key components such as electric motors, motor controllers, and rotor power units comprise an appalling 40% value overlap with the new energy vehicle sector.

This growing synchronicity not only provides a distinctive advantage for automotive manufacturers diving into the low-altitude economy but also ushers in new opportunities for chip manufacturersFor instance, NVIDIA, a global AI chip leader, leverages its substantial technological foundations in AI and autonomous driving chips to extend robust computational capabilities to flying carsThis includes high-performance AI chips and sophisticated algorithms that undergird complex navigation and flight control operationsMeanwhile, XPeng Motors has created an innovative AI chip capable of being utilized across AI vehicles, humanoid robots, and flying cars—boasting capabilities that render it three times as effective as its competitorsChip-makers like Intel are consistently enhancing their technology abilities in the autonomous driving and IoT chip domains through acquisitions and R&D, while Qualcomm aims to provide ultra-fast, stable communication solutions for flying vehicles.

Furthermore, amidst these intricacies, simulation, and mixed-signal chips operate as the "invisible wings" of flying cars, playing a critical yet understated role behind the scenes, as they support everything from perception and control to energy management across pivotal functionsThe influx of opportunities in the flying car chip market is evident, propelling domestic manufacturers to potentially thrive in this evolving climate.

Companies such as Naxin Micro, a leading manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal chips in China, have forged substantial footprints in automotive electronics

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Their focus on signals from sensors, power management, and more, allows them to contribute significantly to critical applications within the new energy sectorAs flying cars emerge as prominent players in the automotive sphere, domestic chip firms, equipped with their reliable expertise and technological reservoir, are well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions and enhance the industry’s vitality.

Illustratively, as flying cars are laden with high demands for chips, Naxin Micro actively pursues markets through innovative drivers and power management technologiesCorrespondingly, flying cars—like their smart automotive counterparts—rely on a suite of sensing technologies, including cameras and radar to remain responsive to environmental changesThe growing need for high-speed communication interfaces ensures clarity and real-time processes between devices, leading Naxin Micro to finalize and test their development of SerDes for seamless data transmission from cameras to displays.

Electric drive systems serve as the heart of flying cars, translating essential energy demands for efficient operationTheir in-built sensors monitor parameters like current and voltage, with Naxin Micro delivering complementary chips for pivotal functions within electric drive systems, including gate drivers, motor control chips, and energy management solutions.

Amidst rapid advances in electrification, flying vehicles are increasingly recognized as the futuristic frontiers of the automotive landscape—captivating the attention of countless automakersThis renewed enthusiasm resonates in humanoid robots, emblematic of our ongoing fascination with technology’s potentialAs Zhang Yongwei remarks, in the AI era, the industry is experiencing notable transitions, evolving not only in transportation but in methods of interaction, existence, and capabilities in the human realm.

As showcased during the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots captivated audiences, showcasing their capabilities while dancing alongside human performers

Prior to this event, discussions around humanoid technology had intensified, marked by leaps in the automation domain, with companies like Tesla entering the fray through their Optimus initiative, aiming to establish robots that could harmoniously integrate into daily lifeA host of Chinese car manufacturers, including XPeng, BYD, Changan, and others, have similarly charged into the humanoid segment, propelled by ambitions for future potential alongside the observed technological overlaps inherent between driving and robotics.

The vast scope of opportunity within the humanoid robotics market is underscored by forecasts predicting substantial collective growth driven by synergies within supply chains and shared technological advancementsFor instance, Goldman Sachs anticipates global humanoid market size to swell to $37.8 billion by 2035, with compound annual growth rates far surpassing those of traditional automotive marketsAs the era of humanoid transition dawns, companies like Naxin Micro stand at an advantageous junction where their ample experience in automotive applications can be intelligently realigned to enrich the dynamics of this burgeoning robotics sector.

Emphasizing the potential within this trajectory, it becomes increasingly clear that both flying vehicles and humanoid robots are anchored in similarly sophisticated supply chains, driving cross-industry collaborations that promise to bolster chip innovation in the face of unforeseen challengesThrough this lens, humankind stands poised at the brink of transformative advancements bound to redefine industries, technology, and our very existence.

In conclusion, the exhilarating prospects within the shifting automotive landscape encapsulated in the terms "flying up" and "standing tall" signal exciting pathways for advancements fueled by electrification, intelligence and the quest for value within low-altitude economies and humanoid interfacesThe interplay between these realms not only fuels the automotive renaissance but also facilitates structural benefits across various industries

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