NAVEE has taken a step beyond e-scooters and e-bikes with the debut of the WaveFly 5X. This is a new personal watercraft that flies just above the surface of the water using wing-in-ground (WIG) technology.
We were in attendance for the global maiden flight in Suzhou, China, where the WaveFly 5X completed a low-altitude skim across the water.
Afterwards, it transitioned into a longer cruise. Seeing it in person, it looked less like a conventional boat. Instead, it appeared more like a vehicle occupying the space between a speedboat and a small aircraft.
The WaveFly 5X is being pitched as the world’s first consumer-grade wing-in-ground craft. Rather than flying at high altitude, it uses the aerodynamic “ground effect” created close to the water’s surface to generate lift. As a result, this allows it to travel without needing a traditional runway.
According to NAVEE, the craft can reach speeds of up to 85km/h, carry a maximum load of 140kg and deliver up to 80km of range. It uses a dual tandem-wing design and an aerospace-grade carbon fibre body. This keeps weight down while maintaining structural rigidity.
The launch stands out because manufacturers have traditionally limited wing-in-ground vehicles to specialist or commercial applications. NAVEE is instead positioning the WaveFly 5X as a consumer mobility product, extending its portfolio beyond land-based transport.
That broader ecosystem was also on display at the event. Alongside the WaveFly 5X, NAVEE showcased a range of products including electric scooters, e-bikes, golf push carts, electric wagons and its EXO S Pro robotic exoskeleton. In fact, the robotic exoskeleton is due to launch in Europe in July 2026.
Whether personal water-surface flight becomes a mainstream category remains to be seen. However, the WaveFly 5X is certainly one of the more unusual mobility products we’ve seen this year. After watching it take to the water firsthand, it’s clear NAVEE is thinking well beyond the traditional boundaries of personal transport.
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