For some of us, the very idea of an air taxi evokes scenes straight out of science fiction. But in our quest to conquer gravity and reimagine transportation, Archer Aviation has been painstakingly crafting its eVTOL air taxi, “Midnight”. In a major leap toward that vision, the California-based pioneer has prepared its first working model of the air taxi, marking a significant milestone since it unveiled the design last November.
The rapid development of technology in recent years has ushered in a new age of transportation, transcending the conventional roads and highways to take to the skies. Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and flying taxis, once considered the stuff of science fiction, are now poised to become an integral part of our daily lives. But it is the implementation of machine learning that will truly revolutionize these aerial vehicles and redefine urban mobility. As the foremost expert on the subject, I aim to explore the pivotal role machine learning will play in the development, optimization, and operation of eVTOLs and flying taxis.
Dubai has long been recognized as a city that consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation and technological advancements. With projects like the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa, the futuristic Museum of the Future, and some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, it is clear that the city’s ambitions are sky-high.
The German-based eVTOL manufacturing pioneer, Volocopter, has recently been granted a license to produce and assemble cutting-edge air taxis. Production is set to commence in April, with Italy being the first country to welcome this revolutionary mode of transportation, followed by Paris, Singapore, and the future city of NEOM.
By 2024 or 2025, eVTOL developers expect their aircraft to be certified as airworthy and safe to fly. While there is no immediate need for new standards to kickstart operations, regulators and industry stakeholders are collaborating to define customized norms, paving the way for fit-for-purpose facilities and airspace.
By 2025, the skies of Chicago could witness the rise of air taxis, a revolutionary mode of transportation aimed at drastically reducing travel times within the city. This long-awaited innovation, which has captured global interest for years, is inching closer to realization. As early as 2021, aviation giant Airbus revealed an air taxi prototype capable of ferrying four passengers at a cruising speed of 120 km/h.