Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) is makings its rounds throughout the aeronautics community. As you might expect, VTOL aircraft are able to hover, launch, and land in a complete vertical manner.
Many tech giants are involved with VTOL-centric projects, such as Uber, Google’s Co-Founder Larry Page, and Airbus, just to name a few. Adding to this list is German aviation startup e-volo, revealing its first flying taxi production model, the Volocopter 2X, at AERO, a global aviation convention held in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
The design can fly a maximum of 17 miles at a speed of 43 mph. At its ideal 31 mph cruise speed, it can sustain flight for a total of 27 minutes. If distance isn’t a priority, the Volocopter 2X has the ability to reach 62 mph. The aircraft has an impressive collection of 18 rotors and measures around two meters tall.
Its nine lithium-ion battery packs take 120 minutes to fully charge. Powered purely by electricity, the aircraft can fly emission-free and carry out low-noise operations. Currently, the vehicle can seat two adults, but the company plans to work on a 4-seater design.
“By 2018, the first Volocopter 2X models with special permit are set to be used as flying taxis in pilot projects. The technology also allows for remote controlled and even autonomous flights. For the first flying taxi pilot projects, e-volo assumes the Volocopter 2X will still be pilot-controlled due to the currently applicable regulations. Initially, remote-controlled or autonomous taxi flights can be carried out unmanned as necessary,” according to e-volo in a press release.
As we wait for a flying taxi to zoom overhead, check out the Volocopter 2X’s design in the photo gallery below.