German aircraft manufacturer Volocopter is considering Singapore as one of the most likely venues for the commercial launch of its air taxi, Automotive News Europe reports. This, along with Dubai and Germany are the markets most receptive to its air taxis, the company said, and is working with Singapore regulators to conduct a public test flight in the city-state in the coming months.
Backed by Geely and Daimler, Volocopter is planning for the commercial roll-out of its air taxis in two to three years. The company sees two customer profiles for its air taxis; one being business customers who may travel from the airport to the business centre, or tourists travelling between Marina bay and Sentosa island, said co-founder Alexander Zosel.
The company has raised 85 million euros (RM388 million) so far, and is looking for more financial partners in a funding round that it plans to close in January. Stakeholders Daimler, Intel and Geely each own around 10% of Volocopter, a Daimler spokesperson told Automotive News Europe.
Volocopter conducted its first urban flight of the VoloCity two-seater air taxi in Europe last month in order to examine the social acceptance of air taxis, while over 1,000 test flights have been conducted; some flights were piloted by humans, with others flown either by remote control or autonomously on pre-determined routes.
The commercial flights will initially be manually piloted, leaving room for just one passenger, but the company hopes to transition towards fully autonomous flying in five to 10 years, said Zosel. The vehicle used is the VoloCity which is a two-seat air taxi with an operating weight of 700 kg and maximum take-off weight of 900 kg, including a payload of 200 kg.
Nine lithium-ion battery packs power 18 electric motors with one rotor for each, offering a range of 35 km and a maximum air speed of 110 km/h. The battery packs can be swapped out in five minutes for freshly charged ones, minimising downtime.
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lets see how our minister reply to this…
Abang Redzuan reiterates:
Kan aku dah cakap…I can see the future far far ahead but u skeptics cant.
I will be the one have the last laugh now AGAIN! wkwkwkwk
People already invented the helicopter 50 years ago and now you want to reinvent it? Why not just reinvent the wheel as well, bodoh?
Learn to respect other users dei! people are free to have different opinions
Geeky and Daimler so fast already making the dream comes true
This at it again? How is a helicopter related to automotive news?
…and we laugh when our minister talk abt flying car. Always follower minded
I laugh because this is not a flying car by any definition.
Yah, 4 KDK fans strapped to a frame isn’t what one would call hi tech nor innovative.
But then, Redzuan is pretty easy to Impress.
It’s not a flying car, it’s a helicopter. They are calling it a flying car to seem like they are inventing something new so that they can get VC funding.
The human civilization has already invented this…it’s called a helicopter
This is not a flying car! Flying must adhere to main criteria it can cruise on the tarmac road and take off flying at atmosphere.
multi rotors blades copter will definitely replace helicopter soon.
Missing Singapor* money.
No worries
Ridzuan will launch our flying unicorn in Putar-jaya.
Ah Loke will sell special series number plates to commemorate this special occasion.
Our minister will be laughing at those negative people..haha