Malaysia’s first flying vehicle prototype is set to take flight on Thursday, and minister of entrepreneur development Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof will be riding in the vehicle alongside its pilot when it takes its maiden flight, Berita Harian reports.

Redzuan also invited members of Parliament to witness the flying vehicle prototype’s test flight when speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, the news daily reported.

“I want to extend my invitation to the respected MPs. This Thursday, I will be riding (in) the flying vehicle or two-man vehicle. I (would like to) invite Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah (to the test flight),” Redzuan said.

Known as the Vector, the ‘flying car’ developed by Aerodyne Group is actually a drone-based, point-to-point air mobility solution that is reportedly powered by four electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. This is said to weigh 600 kg and have a payload of up to 200 kg, and is capable of flying about 50 metres above ground level at 60 km/h, with flight time ranging between 30 to 90 minutes.

A scale model of the Vector was displayed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2019 (LIMA 19) exhibition earlier in March this year, and Redzuan said in October that a second ‘flying car’ is in the works and estimated to perform its first flight in the third quarter of next year.

“The second version is using new technology and we are discussing whether or not it’s possible, and if there is interest in the country, to have the inaugural flight by the third quarter of (2020),” said Redzuan, who added that the vehicle is currently being developed in Europe.

-paultan