flying cars

Flying cars are cool, but inspections autonomous VTOLs are more lucrative ventures

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    Terrafugia, the world’s first flying car launches Seeker, a quick and quiet autonomous VTOL. Terrafugia announces the launch of a new brand, Commaris, and the brand’s first product, the Seeker, an innovative, electric, fixed-wing/VTOL hybrid aircraft designed explicitly for autonomous commercial aerial applications. Terrafugia was founded in 2006 with the goal of delivering … Read more

This is the future of flight: IWC X Airspeeder introduce world’s first racing series for flying electric cars

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Nothing drives innovation like racing. Take a look at IWC Schaffhausen x Airspeeder flying racecar ushering in a new era of sustainable motorsport.

@ IWC Schaffhausen X @Airpseeder; @airspeeder.com/

Airspeeder is the world’s first racing series for electric flying cars.

The Airspeeder racing series is the brainchild of founder Matt Pearson, who also runs Alauda, the world’s first performance electric flying car manufacturer. Taking inspiration from the role sport has traditionally played in advancing the cause of technology, Pearson’s visionary idea is to create a new kind of motorsport to accelerate the advanced air mobility revolution and transform passenger, logistical and even medical transportation.

The planned global race series will eventually see a full grid of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) craft,
manufactured by Alauda, managed by individual teams and operated by elite pilots, compete at heights of up to 40m off the ground and at top speeds of 200km/h. The air races will take place on electronically-created tracks and be streamed globally, minimising the environmental impact of more complex logistics and infrastructure.

“It’s fantastic to play a part in bringing Matt’s bold vision to life. The Airspeeder team are true pioneers of aviation and they are bringing together two things that are really close to IWC’s heart. From making some of the planet’s best pilots’ watches for the last eighty years to the cut and thrust of modern automotive design and racing, we have always equipped and inspired those who dare to dream. We are proud to collaborate on an endeavour that will make such a progressive impact on society,”  Christoph Grainger-Herr, IWC CEO.

Airspeeder developed its first small-scale prototype performance eVTOL in 2017 and has continued to finesse the design ever since through computer modelling and simulation, as well as extensive testing.

@ IWC Schaffhausen X @Airpseeder; @airspeeder.com/

The newest vehicle, the Mk3, is the world’s first fully functional electric flying racing car.

With an overall aesthetic reminiscent of classic 1950s sportscars combined with racing drones, the speeders feature an octocopter layout, airfoil- profiled rotor arms, cutting- edge carbon-fibre composites and the latest EV battery technology. New advances in safety are delivered through a suite of technologies and engineering elements never before seen on an eVTOL craft. These innovations include LiDAR and Radar collision avoidance systems that create a ‘virtual force field’ around the craft to ensure close but ultimately safe racing. Designed for maximum performance and aerial agility, they move through the air with precision and pace. An entire grid of these remotely piloted Mk3s is currently being built by Airspeeder, ahead of this year’s competitive pilotless events.

The Mk4 is expected to launch in 2022, before the inaugural crewed season gets underway.

@ IWC Schaffhausen X @Airpseeder; @airspeeder.com/

This new flying SUV offers a new generation commuter vehicle

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World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

A new Flying SUV Wants to Be a Private Commuter for all of us. Enjoy the city and then quickly and safely travel to the countryside in your own private vehicle.

Flying cars have the potential to create the same kind of niche in mass transportation as conventional cars did one
century ago. Aska’s new urban air mobility vehicle enters the fast-developing urban air mobility sector with an offer for commuting between the city and suburbs.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL

ASKA offers consumers a new generation commuter vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile, with the safety, ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight. Because ASKA is both drive and fly, it can be parked in existing parking spaces / garages and charge in existing EV charging stations.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

Aska’s flying car is a much larger air-mobility vehicle the size of an SUV.

With first deliveries scheduled for 2026 and a range of about 250 miles, this four-passenger flying car will feature electric motors powered by six batteries. ASKA has dual type of power supply sources. Each rotor has an independent battery power source plus a range extender power. Designed to ensure continued flight and a safe landing in the event of an emergency. The project features a robust energy management system with redundant power distribution architecture. Full electric system architecture of ASKA enables future models to convert range extenders to any other energy source such as hydrogen.

“The first deliveries may be limited to local roads. Our target is to obtain highway certification with a speed of 70 mph.” Aska Fly

The large wing design is optimized for safe landings and to reduce energy consumption. The flying SUV is boarded like a car, at home, in a garage or on the street, not on a busy airfield. The model gains additional safety with ballistic parachute. With the large propellers, ASKA has the best in class low Disc Loading (DL) and high Power Loading (PL) to hover with high efficiency and maneuverability.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

ASKA advances a great performant experience with its in-wheel motor technology, on the road or in the air. With this technology the wheels can be placed outside the fuselage, enabling better aerodynamics, and creating additional interior space to comfortably seat 4 passengers. It provides a high driving position, similar to a SUV, enabling the driver to have excellent visibility, and facilitates adequate ground clearance for Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) mode.

In drive mode, the in-wheel motor supports dynamic handling capabilities for a great driving experience.

VIP customers who preorder the $789,000 ASKA will become influential partners in the ASKA Founders Club, a global community of people who share our passion for travel in the 3rd dimension.

Club members are encouraged to be active contributors in virtual brainstorming sessions with the founders and
engineering team. Their insights will be used to improve the design and user experience of ASKA. Benefits of this
Founders Club include updates on key developments in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) curated from NASA, the FAA,
EASA and industry experts.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

Flying cars are getting closer to takeoff: Terrafugia Transition obtained FAA certificate

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    The flying vehicle that received the certificate is legal for flight and represents the initial version of the Terrafugia Transition roadable aircraft. Terrafugia Announces FAA Special Light-Sport Airworthiness Certificate. This roadable aircraft will require a Sport Pilot certificate and driver’s license to operate. Terrafugia has reached a significant milestone by obtaining an FAA … Read more

UK is building its first Urban Air Port Air-One, an airport for flying cars

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Urban Air Port Air-One eVTOL hub; @hyundai.news

Urban Air Port has the potential to revolutionise cities across the world, making them more connected, cleaner and accelerating our green economic recovery.

Urban Air Port Air-One is an innovative hub for future electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft – such as air taxis and autonomous delivery drones – that will transport people and cargo across cities in the coming years.

The aviation company plans to install more than 200 zero emission sites worldwide over the next five years in response to global demand.

NASA predicts that urban-air mobility in the US alone could be worth up to $500 billion USD (£375 billion) in the near-term and states that a significant barrier to market growth is the lack of infrastructure, an issue which Urban Air Port was established to resolve.

The Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group has chosen Urban Air Port as its priority infrastructure partner to support the global growth of this new sector. The South Korean company plans to create its own eVTOL aircraft and support the broader urban air mobility eco-system. Hyundai Motor Group is supporting the development of Air-One® as part of its plan to commercialise its aircraft by 2028.

The eVTOL hub provides an integrated approach to the decarbonisation of cities. It is designed to support any eVTOL aircraft and
complements other modes of sustainable transport as a hub for electric vehicles, buses or scooters. The design enables Urban Air Ports to be easily moved to alternative sites, as the air-mobility sector develops. This design also means the sites are ideal for disaster emergency management. Urban Air Ports can rapidly deploy drones and other eVTOL to collect and transport emergency supplies, equipment and people where needed.

Urban Air Port Air-One eVTOL hub; @hyundai.news

The physical footprint of an Urban Air Port is 60% smaller than a traditional heliport (the most comparable existing infrastructure). Using innovative construction, the sites can be installed in a matter of days, emit net zero carbon emissions and can be operated completely off-grid, meaning they do not always have to rely on a suitable grid connection.

“Cars need roads. Trains need rails. Planes need airports. eVTOLs will need Urban Air Ports. Over a hundred years ago, the world’s first commercial flight took off, creating the modern connected world. Urban Air Port will improve connectivity across our cities, boost productivity and help the UK to take the lead in a whole new clean global economy. Flying cars used to be a futuristic flight of fancy. Air-One will bring clean urban air transport to the masses and unleash a new airborne world of zero emission mobility.” – Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban Air Port.

Urban Air Port chose Coventry for the first site due to its important location in the heart of the UK and because it is a historic hub for the automobile and aerospace industry, with a pool of people and skills that can support the manufacturing industries of the future. The city’s unique location also provides easy access within four hours to most parts of the country. In December 2020, Coventry was named the best UK town for electric cars. Air-One will be unveiled during Coventry’s UK city of culture celebrations in 2021 and continue to form part of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Urban Air Port has been awarded a £1.2 million grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge. The programme is funded by £125 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and is expected to be matched by up to £175 million from industry.

Urban Air Port Air-One eVTOL hub; @hyundai.news

What will the luxury “must have” requirements be 10 years into the future?

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  From digital detox to trips into space, Americans’ notions of luxury are ever-evolving, says new Future of Luxury Report for the New Decade. Not long ago, electric lighting was considered a luxury. For that matter, so were mobile phones. But, notions of luxury often change with technological advancements and cultural shifts. With the start … Read more