Air taxi modelled on a bird

  • Reading Time:3Minutes

The Macrobat was specifically designed with African conditions in mind, but it remains to be seen whether it will ever be built. Although air taxis, like cars, bicycles and aeroplanes, will certainly become uniform in the future, the new form of transport, which is still only just beginning to spread its wings, is still quite a favourite with creative designers, who are not holding back when it comes to brainstorming: in recent years, we have seen air taxis with 18 rotors positioned like a halo above the cockpit, eVTOLs with folding wings and even something resembling a flying saucer. But the concept from South African start-up Phractyl stands out even from this diverse field.

Flying "mechanical bird"
Flying “mechanical bird”

Dubbed Macrobat, the one-person eVTOL, which exists only on paper so far, has wings that break at the engines and legs that replace the wheels, making it more like a bird than an aeroplane. The concept is not an end in itself: the designers say that the robotic legs, which bend in several places, are a reflection of the conditions in Africa: they allow the Macrobat to take off and land in places where there is no infrastructure, which means that the plane could be called an air taxi.

Phractyl is very optimistic about the eVTOL’s capabilities: according to their website, the Macrobat will be able to travel up to 150 kilometres at a time, with a top speed of 180 km/h. The vehicle has a payload capacity of up to 150 kilograms and can be controlled remotely, and its designers say it can be used for transport, air rescue and agricultural tasks in addition to travel.

As mentioned in New Atlas, there are some issues with the concept, for example, the plans seem to suggest that the pilot will not be able to see the ground at all during take-off and landing due to the cockpit swivelling upwards, which will probably be solved by cameras. Creating the robotic feet itself is likely to be a much more difficult task than if the machine were equipped with wheels or feet, and could make the vehicle unstable, which will also need to be addressed.

The Macrobat designers will have time to work on these problems, as they are currently only at the design stage for the wings and the electric propulsion system, and by their own admission it will take years to complete the Macrobat. Phractyl is raising money for the project on Patreon, so if anyone sees the potential in the unconventional air taxi, they can support the idea, but it doesn’t look promising for the future of the Macrobat that so far a total of five people have decided to invest money in the project.

Source: phractyl.com

More articles you may be interested in...

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Evolution and Implications of Battery Charging Technology for evtol and Electric Aircraft in 2025

The evolution and implications of battery charging technology for electric vertical takeoff and landing (evtol) and electric aircraft are pivotal for the aviation industry's sustainability goals. As of March 18, 2025, this technology is at a critical juncture, with significant advancements and challenges shaping its future.

Additional aircraft News & Articles

Bio-inspired drone technology: pioneering Mars exploration

Researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB) at the University of Zagreb, in collaboration with the...>>>...READ MORE

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Joby and Virgin Atlantic announce groundbreaking partnership

Flying Cars News & Articles

Will we have flying cars before fully self-driving cars ?

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

EHang: Record Growth and Breakthrough in Urban Air Mobility – A Detailed Analysis of 2024 Financial Results

EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company,...>>>...READ MORE

more

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Electric motor development: new materials and efficiency-enhancing technologies

Electric motors are the beating heart of eVTOLs. Unlike the roaring engines of old-school helicopters, these motors hum with electricity, converting stored energy from batteries into the mechanical power needed to lift off, cruise, and land. But here’s the catch: eVTOLs demand a lot from...>>>...READ MORE

Drones News & Articles

BYD and DJI create a car with a drone

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Artificial intelligence and the future of self-driving eVTOLs

This is the vision of autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, a...>>>...READ MORE

more

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

The current status of hydrogen-powered aircraft

Air transport has been growing steadily over the past decades, but sustainability is a growing challenge for the industry. The fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions of conventional aircraft cause significant environmental impacts, while global demand for air travel continues to grow.