Here is Volkswagen’s future flying taxi: an air of science fiction

News hardware Here is Volkswagen’s future flying taxi: an air of science fiction

Take a flying taxi in the air, a possibility that the German brand Volkswagen is currently working on: it has just unveiled a prototype of an electric aircraft that has a lot of ideas.

Various companies have been working on “flying car” prototypes for many years, with little lasting success so far. These include the AeroMobil and the AirCarwhich have been talked about during their tests on land and in the air.

But it is clear that few car brands have tried the adventure. That’s why the fact that Volkswagen is entering the dance is interesting. A few days ago, the Chinese division of the German manufacturer presented the prototype of the Flying Tigera model presented as a “flying taxi”. But against all expectations, it is not a flying car.

Volkswagen’s flying taxi will be a vertical take-off aircraft

The Flying Tiger is an electric aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landinga system called eVTOL for “electric vertical take-off and landing”. It takes its name from its black and gold bodywork, but also from the fact that it was made official in China during the year of the Tiger.

Volkswagen China summarizes this vehicle as being a “prototype drone capable of carrying passengers, at the cutting edge of technology”. It is interesting to point out that the manufacturer never speaks of a “flying car”, and for good reason, the Flying Tiger is completely devoid of wheels.

The prototype presented by the firm is operationaland it has also entered the test phase. For the moment, it is a model capable of carrying two people. The aircraft is 11.2 meters long by 10.6 meters wide, has eight rotors for vertical lift, and two propellers for horizontal displacement. Obviously there is no pilot inside. “The concept of the prototype is based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technologies for zero-emission mobility”explains the manufacturer.

See also  Bleach Thousand Year Blood War: Release date, story... Everything you need to know about the return of the cult anime!

Volkswagen Aims For The Sky For 2023: The Sci-Fi Future Is Near

The company hopes to be able to conduct further tests “by the end of summer 2023”. The final version of the vehicle should be able to carry four passengers and their luggageover a distance capable of reaching 200 kilometers.

“In the long term, we intend to transpose this concept to series production, and, like a Flying Tiger, play the pioneers in this new dynamic mobility market”says Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

But to hope to climb one day in such a flying vehicle, it will be necessary not only to want to trust a gigantic drone to transport us in the air, but also have a solid transportation budget. Indeed, Volkswagen explains that the first commercial operation of the aircraft should be intended for “a VIP shuttle service”capable of carrying businessmen and celebrities “in a faster, more efficient and more flexible way than the means of land transport currently available”.

In addition to working on the viability of the Flying Tiger, its manufacturer will also have to obtain the necessary flight authorizations. “As part of the vertical mobility project, Volkswagen Group China will work with the relevant Chinese authorities to obtain the necessary permits”the statement concludes.

Related Posts

hot chips: the fresh tech creator series — chelsea warner

Hot Chips: The Fresh Tech Creator Series — Chelsea Warner On-The-Go, from hotel rooms to harmonies

Join us for Hot Chips: The Fresh Tech Creator Series 2 and witness the Chelsea Warner magic unfold with her MSI Prestige 13EVO laptop. Welcome to Happy…

5 things you didn't know about the iconic series

5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Iconic Series – Breaking News

Released in 1989, “Lonesome Dove” felt in many ways ahead of its time. It was a spectacle, recreating the Old West in a way that only the…

4 reasons nick fury needs to get superpowers in 'secret

4 Reasons Nick Fury Needs To Get Superpowers In ‘Secret Invasion’ (& 3 Reasons He Shouldn’t)

It’s a universally recognized truth that all characters in the MCU have to gain superpowers eventually. Peggy Carter? She is Captain America herself in multiple universes these…

Tencent becomes majority shareholder in ‘Dying Light’ developer Techland

Image: Techlandia Techland, the developer behind the first-person zombie title Dying Light, has gained a majority shareholder in Chinese conglomerate Tencent. Announced via a blog post by…

this game is said to have "secrets within secrets within

This game is said to have “secrets within secrets within secrets” that even hardcore gamers have never discovered!

Game news This game is said to have “secrets within secrets within secrets” that even hardcore gamers have never discovered! Published on 07/25/2023 at 12:00 Share :…

skyrim skeleton key: how to get the unbreakable lockpick

Skyrim Skeleton Key: How to get the Unbreakable Lockpick

Lockpicking is one of the most useful skills in skyrim. Unfortunately, lock picks are not very durable. Except for the master key. Finding this unbreakable lockpick will…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *