Southeast University Dongda Kunpeng 1 (technology demonstrator)

(Photo credit: Southeast University)

Dongda Kunpeng 1 (technology demonstrator)
Southeast University
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
www.seu.edu.cn

The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.

Founded in 1902, Southeast University is a public university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. The university had several different names prior to May 1988, when the university chose its current name of Southeast University. As of 2018, the university had over 2,800 academic staff and over 32,000 students including both undergraduates and post graduates. On January 1, 2025, a university scientific research team from the Department of Vehicle Engineering of the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Jiangsu Smart Electric Transportation Equipment Engineering Research Center revealed they had created a roadable aircraft named the Dongda Kunpeng 1. The vehicle is also known as the SDU Kun 1 or possibly the SENU Kun 1.

Dongda Kunpeng 1 passenger air ground eVTOL technology demonstrator vehicle
The Dongda Kunpeng 1 is a one passenger air and ground eVTOL technology demonstrator vehicle. The aerocar would also have space for luggage, grocery bags or other small air cargo needed to transport by the passenger. The technology demonstrator appears to be one complete structure with its cabin fixed to the ground portion of the vehicle. The top portion of the aircraft has four fixed arms to hold its propellers. It is unknown if the technology demonstrator can actually drive on the ground or can fly in the air.

While virtually no specifications have been revealed by the research team, the roadable aircraft has eight stacked propellers, uses eight electric motors for the propellers and is most likely powered by battery packs. The cabin has large windows allowing forward, left and right visibility. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio.

Once a working prototype is made, driven and flown, the research team could scale the vehicle to a larger size and might make multiple design changes. If this air-land vehicle is made for serial production, it would provide people with fast and convenient point-to-point travel within dense urban areas.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Air passenger air ground eVTOL technology demonstrator vehicle
• Piloting: 1 person piloting (with possible remote or autonomous piloting in the future)
• Cruise speed air/ground: Unknown
• Maximum payload weight: ~100 kg (220 lb)
• Propellers: 8 propellers
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
• Landing gear: 4 ground tires used for landing gear and ground transportation
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure.

Company Insights:

• Wikipedia

Resources:

• Southeast University website
• Article: A review of 100 Chinese low-altitude economy companies and 35 domestic eVTOL companies!, ChatPlas, Feb. 20, 2025