Taking off, however, is a bit more unique, as the VTOL is made to rock back and forth to literally pick up momentum to launch upward. Eight drone-like rotors are positioned across two wings. Despite the design, BlackFly flies via a familiar method. Opener BlackFly OpenerĬoming from Canadian firm Opener, the BlackFly is a highly-distinctive VTOL that combines personal piloting with a wealth of automatic features, including auto-landing and automated return home functions, thus enabling flight without the need for formal licensing (a popular trend, as you may have noticed). Just two controls are in the aircraft: A joystick to control direction and a throttle control on the pilot’s door. Both have captured the American military’s attention. The initial version will be able to carry about 400 pounds of cargo, although a more heavy-duty version capable of carrying up to 650 pounds is currently in development. Unlike other VTOLs, it operates on gasoline, and a battery pack will provide an extra 10 minutes of flying time, if necessary. The aircraft has eight propellers and a top speed of 75mph. Digital Trends understands that SureFly’s development continues. It was developed by Workhorse, but the company sold its aviation division to Moog for $4 million in November 2019 after multimillion-dollar losses. The SureFly is a robust VTOL aimed at commercial operators and consumers looking for a durable, self-controlled flying experience. Volocopter showed off the 2X by taking it on a two-minute flight above Singapore in October 2019. It’s no wonder Volocopter is Dubai’s latest pick for its upcoming air taxi fleet (although city officials have dumped other prototypes in the past, so it’s not a guaranteed deal). Intel’s work on the project includes complex tech, such as four independent sensor units to control positioning, nine different electric battery packs with built-in redundancies, and even a parachute stowed on top of the vehicle in case something goes wrong. It has a flight time of 30 minutes and a range of 17 miles between charge centers. We’d say that the whole thing isn’t very practical, but the firm made a full-sized test model and ran it across the stage at CES 2018, thanks to a little sponsorship by Intel. Developed in Germany, it features 18 battery-powered rotors controlled via a single joystick. The Volocopter 2X’s design is ambitious - and it looks really cool. It will be able to fly over cities, according to TechCrunch, but there’s no telling when we’ll see it in action. The company is now focusing on a larger, winged aircraft named Heaviside with a 100-mile range and a 180mph top speed. We were looking forward to Kitty Hawk’s Flyer, and CEO Sebastian Thrun said it was “ as easy to use as playing Minecraft,” but the project was axed in June 2020 because the company learned what it needed from it. Airbus has flown about 50 test flights since, and it said it was on track for a 2020 debut, but its plans might have changed - we’re still waiting for an update on this project. However, it did this entirely with the autopilot technology. It wasn’t much - the 20-foot aircraft simply rose 16 feet into the air and stayed there for 53 seconds. In early 2018, the Vahana prototype had its first successful full-scale flight test. It’s also an ideal way to run a taxi service since the vehicles automatically return to centers for maintenance or take a different route based on current orders. It can save costs when it comes to hiring and training pilots (who typically expect a higher salary than a taxi driver), and software engineers already have plenty of experience creating autopilot systems for larger planes that can be applied to these VTOLs. There are a lot of advantages to the self-piloting model. Project Vahana, from Airbus, seeks to create an electric VTOL aircraft that is entirely self-piloted. It notably joined forces with organizations like Starburst, an aerospace accelerator, to help it reach its goal. This system requires retractable wheels and wings, along with a very efficient drivetrain.ĪeroMobil is funneling time and money into the development of an electric powertrain. Unlike true VTOLs, hybrid flying cars are designed to take off from a runway, like a plane, but also have the ability to morph into a car-like vehicle to drive on the road. It’s one of the more notable hybrid models in the works, and we’re not talking about a gasoline-electric powertrain. The company has plenty of concept art to show the car in its final form. Slovakia-based AeroMobil remains committed to releasing a functioning flying car it calls “a supercar with superpowers.” It’s on its fourth prototype, so you know it’s not joking.
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