To understand how uncrewed vehicles avoid each other and other obstacles, researchers at NASA recently flew multiple drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The test is being seen as an important step towards advancing self-flying capabilities for air taxis.
Expand Expanding Close
EHang continues to advance toward the introduction of air taxi services following the reception of the “Type Certificate” of its EH216-S electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft from China’s regulators, and most recently inaugurated its Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Operation Demonstration Center in Shenzhen’s Bao’an district. Yet despite – or perhaps because of – its continued progress, the startup’s US detractors appear bent on complicating its launch of passenger activity with repeated attacks.
Expand Expanding Close
South Korea is enthusiastically planning for the introduction of future advanced urban air activities using UAVs and air taxis to lift delivery trucks and cars into the skies. Now officials in the nation’s capital are preparing to use drones to better manage vehicles that will be left clogging Seoul’s streets.
Expand Expanding Close
China-based air taxi developer EHang has received crucial government certification to initiate commercial services with actual passengers in the country. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued a “Type Certificate” to EHang’s EH216-S aircraft, making it the world’s first fully certified electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi.
Expand Expanding Close
Uncrewed traffic management (UTM) specialist AirMatrix says it has received funding to map cellular signal data up to 1,000 feet. The company’s new research project will eventually help to set up the necessary telecom infrastructure for passenger air taxis and drones carrying heavy payloads above 400 feet.
Expand Expanding Close
EHang, a specialist in passenger-grade drones and urban air mobility (UAM) solutions, says it has received a pre-order for 100 units of its EH216 air taxis from an Indonesian aviation company. This is the largest pre-order EHang has received so far for its passenger-grade drone taxis in Asia.
Expand Expanding Close
Flying air taxis may seem like a fantasy to most, but they could become a reality sooner than you think – at least in some parts of the world. A leading Japanese helicopter service provider, AirX, has placed a pre-order for 50 air taxi units from EHang, a pioneer in passenger-grade drones and urban air mobility (UAM) solutions.
Expand Expanding Close
With its purchase of a composite glider company DG Flugzeugbau, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) heavyweight Volocopter has done more than expanded through acquisition. It has also taken a major step forward toward its goal of obtaining air taxi operating authorization from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Expand Expanding Close
The German government has signed accords with authorities in four localities designed to kick the nation’s urban air mobility UAM) development into higher gear. The move follows efforts across Europe, Asia, and by some US states to both enhance and coordinate emerging means of UAM at faster rates.
Expand Expanding Close
Will flying taxis be part of the future? We believe the answer is a definitive “yes,” and an increasing number of major companies are preparing themselves for the future. Among them? A division of Hyundai Motor Group.
Expand Expanding Close
Japan is ramping up its promotion of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), announcing new government initiatives in the development and deployment of a wide array of small craft across the nation’s cities.
Expand Expanding Close
Even the best new ideas can be pushed too far. That may be the case with at least one concept for a futuristic drone hotel.
Expand Expanding Close
What is the best way for a local government to integrate cargo delivery drones and passenger air taxi services into its existing civic transportation infrastructure? In the United States, five local and state governments will soon find out, with help from NASA.
Expand Expanding Close
Flights of air taxis in the European Union (EU) could begin as early as 2024, according to the head of Europe’s aviation safety administration.
Expand Expanding Close
German drone taxi manufacturer Volocopter has unveiled a new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can transport up to four passengers on routes of 62 miles (100 km) at a speed of 112 miles per hour (180 kmph).
Expand Expanding Close
For most non-Brits who’ve heard of it, the West Midlands city Coventry is known as the birthplace of legendary ska band The Specials. Now, however, Coventry is gunning for a more up-to-date distinction: Home of the world’s first flying taxi and delivery drone airport.
Expand Expanding Close
As a result of drone technology, the world of aviation is rapidly changing. Multiple companies are working on eVTOL aircraft that will, in a few years, whisk you over congested urban centers or to nearby cities without the hassle of that full airport experience. But it’s not every day we see a flying car.
Expand Expanding Close
Seaplane Hong Kong is looking to the future as it one day aims to transport passengers around the country via drones for as little as $25. The goal is to make hiring a transport drone as easy and painless to do as ordering a car from a ride-sharing service today.
Expand Expanding Close
SESAR Joint Undertaking has partnered with companies and research labs to launch TindAIR, a consortium focused on urban air mobility in Europe. The new consortium will be completing a series of urban air mobility demonstrations.
Expand Expanding Close
It was once the stuff of science-fiction: small and agile aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing, shuttling people over urban centers. A new report suggests that not only is this aspect of urban air mobility coming… it’s going to be a massive growth industry.
Expand Expanding Close
Silicon Valley-based HyPoint has unveiled its breakthrough hydrogen fuel cell prototype for use in the urban air mobility and aviation industries. The fuel cell has already won an award from NASA and can reach up to 2,000 watts of power per kilogram.
Expand Expanding Close
EHang is continuing to push back following a damaging – and it says false – report issued by a firm that recommended shorting the stock. The report from Wolfpack Research, which recommended shorting the stock, has tanked the company’s market cap.
Expand Expanding Close
Chinese firm EHang wants the world to see it’s a going concern. And so it has released photos of its new facility that’s being completed in the city of Yunfu. There’s a reason why these pictures are coming now.
Expand Expanding Close
Aerospace company Leonardo says it has carried out Europe’s first demonstration of an electrically powered drone lifting heavy goods. In total, 25kg of goods (55 pounds) were carried in an Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) flight.
Expand Expanding Close