Urban air mobility pioneer Volocopter has revealed that its fixed-wing passenger aircraft completed its maiden flight towards the end of May, becoming among the first air taxi firms to have its entire fleet undergoing trials.
The Volocopter VoloConnect is designed to contain as few moving parts as possible to make it easier to manoeuvre in the air. Image credit: Volocopter GmbH
During the two-minute flight, the air taxi performed several manoeuvres before landing to test how the systems operated mid-flight, following 17 months of development that could bring electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) tech to the public by the mid-decade.
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With a planned top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and a rough range of 97 km (60 miles), the "VoloConnect" air taxi has been designed for use in large cities, connecting suburbia and commercial centres such as central London or downtown Los Angeles without the risk of traffic holdups.
The aircraft was designed to contain as few parts as possible, with its six rotors handling vertical liftoff while two electric fans alongside wings allowing for higher speeds.
The tests encompass several phases, including takeoff, transition, low-speed flight, high-speed flight and engine failure testing that will allow the team to monitor if the specifications of the craft meet expectations.
Should air taxi technology become viable, it should provide a cheap, clean and easy method to allow for people living in settlements outside of major cities to reach the hearts of urban areas, for both business and pleasure.
Alongside other eVTOL companies and the rest of its fleet, eVTOL systems such as Volocopter's could reshape the public transport landscape - provided the technology can get off the ground.
"Having a whole family of electric aircraft in the test flight phase is a pioneering feat", Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter said in a statement.
The firm making its test flights public is a deliberate move to not only show the company is breaking waves with a burgeoning tech, but also that the firm itself is leading the charge.
"Our technology platform is the foundation for our family of aircraft approach and has proven to deliver results at an astounding speed. Volocopter is bringing these innovative designs off the ground, into the air, and then to cities worldwide", he added.
The viability of eVTOL is still up in the air, and the sector has been criticised for being a way off due to the innovation required for the sector to take off. However, technological developments such as electric motors, fuel cells and electric controllers have allowed for the development of air taxis in recent years.
Read more: World's first flying taxi hub opens in Coventry, UK
The development of more recent infrastructure such as ports designed specifically for eVTOL, known as Vertiports - such as the world's first one that recently opened in Coventry - also brings this technology one step closer to reality.
Unlike much of the overhauling that public transport will see over the coming decades, through things such as high-speed rail, green buses and the development of cities more friendly to cyclists, much of the development is being done entirely by private businesses.
However, like these forms of transport, air taxis are designed to be emissions-free. Not only are they powered by electricity but they also get people off roads, both reducing emissions from cars and motorcycles but also reducing congestion, making roads safer and more convenient for longer journeys.
The primary difference is that eVTOL can only really operate in short bursts, making it a perfect replacement for intra-city transport links such as taxis, trams or tube trains.
Volocopter has designed its entire fleet to meet the criteria of the European Aviation Standards Agency (EASA), which sets things such as environmental and safety standards, while also meaning it is subject to regulation and guidance at an EU-level. It also ensures the aircraft do not disrupt public life.
The maiden flight of the VoloConnect is a moment its developers have been waiting nearly a year and a half for, according to the team leader, Sebastian Mores, a chief engineer at Volocopter.
"This is an extraordinary moment for us – seeing the VoloConnect soar to the sky marks the achievement of one of our key milestones and demonstrates just what we are capable of in such a short time", adding that the technology will only grow more sophisticated over time as new ideas are tested and implemented.
Volocopter is testing aircraft for both manned and unmanned flights which could not only allow for commutes for the public but could see use in short-range haulage, transporting things such as food and vaccines.
The VoloConnect is currently one of three models the company is testing, alongside the VoloDone and VoloCity aircraft. The former, being a drone, is designed for unmanned missions, primarily for the transportation of goods, while the latter is being designed to handle inner-city trips.
Read more: Volocopter aims to bring eVTOL to France by 2024
It has also been testing a prototype for a two-seater air taxi, the 2X. These initial tests, which were run in Paris, were done to test the noise emissions of the aircraft.
The company, which was founded in Germany in 2011, could soon see its taxis in commercial use, with plans to start launching its models by 2026 at the latest.
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