Air mobility expo sees debut of 23 international and 42 domestic products

The four-day International Advanced Air Mobility Expo 2026 in Shanghai served as a major launchpad for new products, featuring the global debut of 23 innovations and the domestic debut of 42 others.

A total of 452 exhibitors from China and abroad participated in the event, which ran from July 22 to July 25 and spanned 60,000 square meters.

Industry experts said the expo highlighted the rapid development of China's low-altitude economy ecosystem and technological capabilities, while creating new opportunities for collaboration and business growth among domestic and international industry players.

"Compared with last year, more industry peers have joined the expo. Another difference is that more exhibitors have brought aircraft to their booths this year, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for the low-altitude industry," said Xie Ling, founder and CEO of Shanghai Vertaxi Aviation Technology Co Ltd, an air mobility firm.

At the expo, the company officially unveiled its self-developed M1 Air Ambulance, a manned electric vertical take-off and landing, or eVTOL, demonstration aircraft. Developed in collaboration with Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, the aircraft is designed to overcome the limitations of ground-based emergency rescue by establishing a fast and efficient aerial emergency medical transport network.

With operating costs estimated at just 15 percent of those of a conventional helicopter, the eVTOL is expected to reduce the cost of low-altitude emergency medical flights. It could also cut journeys that take up to 100 minutes by road to about 15 minutes by air.

More than 80 professional forums and public engagement activities were held during the expo, while 570 aircraft and models were on display, reinforcing the event’s role as a comprehensive industry platform for technology showcases, ecosystem partnerships, and public education.