Zero Gravity ZG-1 (prototype)

(Photo credit: Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry)

ZG-1 (prototype)
Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry Co., LTD.
Hefei High-Tech Zone, Anhui, China
www.lzlair.com

The company was founded on March 31, 2021 by Xiang Jinwu, the Dean of the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering in Beihang University to make electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) passenger aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). The School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering is a leading academic at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Zero Gravity (also known as ZeroG) is based in China’s Hefei High-Tech Zone in Anhui, China. The company announced in May 2022, it had secured almost 10 million yuan ($1.48 million - USD) in a round of seed funding from BlueRun Ventures, based in China. (Image credit: Zero Gravity)

The company has already designed an eVTOL multicopter, eVTOL winged aircraft and tilt-wing eVTOL passenger aircraft. The company's main objectives is to provide clean, safe, fast and comfortable urban air travel. The founding team member of Zero Gravity has said, "With an initial specialization in eVTOLs, we aim to provide smarter, faster, safer and more cost-effective solutions in urban air mobility (UAM). Our goal is to bring electric aircraft to life and contribute to the air taxi industry in China and to the world."

ZG-1 passenger eVTOL multicopter prototype aircraft
The ZG-1 is an autonomous two passenger eVTOL multicopter concept design aircraft. The aircraft has been specifically designed for air tourism. The company has reported they have either signed purchase orders or have agreements to purchase the aircraft. It is unknown if the ZG-1 multicopter replaces the previous ZG-One multicopter or not. It seems as if the company has two passenger multicopter aircraft with the same name. In fact, if you look at the company's news articles, it looks like both multicopter aircraft are at the same trade show using the same name. The company has both full-scale prototype pictures and concept design pictures of this new multicopter aircraft.

As of March 2025, we can't find any specifications for the newly designed ZG-1 passenger multicopter. We can see by the pictures that the multicopter has top circular web-like electric motor strut assembly that holds 12 propellers and 12 electric motors. The aircraft is assumed to be powered by battery packs. The cabin is globe type in nature with windows allowing left, right and forward visibility for the passengers.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
• Piloting: Autonomous
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Propellers: 12 propellers
• Electric Motors: 12 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Cabin: Globe-type cabin
• Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility, for spectacular views.
• Landing gear: Fixed-skid type landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies in the sub-systems of the aircraft. In case all systems fail, the aircraft also has an emergency ballistic parachute to keep the passengers safe during an emergency landing.

Related Aircraft:

• Zero Gravity ZG-ONE (concept design)
• Zero Gravity ZG-ONE (production model)
• Zero Gravity ZG-T6 (concept design)
• Zero Gravity ZG-VC2 (concept design)

Company Insights:

• Crunchbase
• Pitchbook

Resources:

• Zero Gravity website
• Article: Highlight Review | Zero-Gravity "China Airshow" Moment, ZeroG, Nov. 17, 2024
• Article: The competition in low-altitude economy is fierce, and the innovative achievements of new energy aircraft have attracted attention, ZeroG, Nov. 27, 2024
• Article: Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry joins hands with Yingwu General Aviation to create a new blueprint for "three-dimensional city", ZeroG, Jan. 9, 2025
• Article: Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry joins hands with Braun Aviation to create a new benchmark for Guiyang's low-altitude industry, ZeroG, Mar. 4, 2025