Image Courtesy: NAVEE
Chinese mobility company NAVEE has unveiled what it describes as the world’s first consumer-grade wing-in-ground craft, a vehicle that travels just above the water’s surface using aerodynamic lift rather than traditional boating methods.
The new WaveFly 5X made its public debut during a live demonstration on Dong Taihu Lake, where it skimmed across the water at high speed before an audience of distributors, media representatives, industry experts, and business partners. The launch marks a major expansion for NAVEE, which is best known for its electric scooters and personal mobility products. The company says the WaveFly 5X represents its entry into the emerging low-altitude transportation sector.
Unlike conventional boats, the WaveFly 5X uses wing-in-ground effect technology, which allows it to fly only inches above the water while taking advantage of aerodynamic lift created between its wings and the surface below. The effect reduces drag and improves efficiency, creating an experience that resembles low-altitude flight more than traditional boating.
The craft features a dual tandem-wing design and an aerospace-grade carbon fiber body intended to reduce weight while maintaining stability. NAVEE says the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 53 mph, carry a payload of nearly 309 pounds, and travel as far as 50 miles on a single run.
Wing-in-ground vehicles have existed for decades and have historically been explored for military transport and specialized maritime operations. However, most designs were large, expensive, and impractical for recreational users. NAVEE is attempting to bring the technology into the consumer market by combining aviation-inspired engineering with electric mobility systems.
The company believes the craft could help establish a new category within the broader low-altitude mobility industry, a sector attracting increasing investment worldwide. While much of the industry’s attention has focused on flying taxis and electric aircraft, NAVEE sees water-surface flight as another potential growth area.
The launch also highlighted the company’s international ambitions. NAVEE said several distributors signed letters of intent to introduce the WaveFly 5X in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific markets.
The company has not announced pricing or production timelines. Even so, the WaveFly 5X offers a glimpse into how future transportation concepts may extend beyond roads, waterways, and traditional aircraft, potentially opening a new frontier just above the water’s surface.