A British drone manufacturer is taking a bold leap into the future of urban transportation. In just a few years, the skies over Europe could be buzzing with air taxis, offering an innovative solution to ease congestion on crowded city streets. Skyports, a leader in the field of urban air mobility, plans to launch its air taxi service in 2026 after successfully raising $110 million in funding. This move places Skyports at the forefront of an emerging market that is set to redefine how we think about urban travel.
28
Oct
Oct
Not quite a helicopter and not quite an airplane, but a blend of the two, is what the FAA is referring to. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has drafted regulations for the operation of would-be air taxis, making the road ahead for eVTOLs to take off smoother. On 22 October, the FAA published the final regulations, which include certain additions to previously drafted provisions, including those on pilot training, to ensure that the so-called powered lift vehicles are integrated into the US National Aviation System and that future air taxis can operate properly in urban environments.
26
Oct
Oct
The advent of air taxis heralds a transformative shift in urban mobility paradigms, offering a novel, multidimensional approach to intracity travel by delivering faster, more efficient, and direct routes across congested urban landscapes. These eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicles, engineered for short-distance urban and peri-urban missions, are explicitly aimed at mitigating the challenges of terrestrial traffic congestion and significantly reducing the temporal inefficiencies associated with traditional road travel.
25
Oct
Oct
A Brazilian company, Eve Air Mobility, aims to have electric air taxis in the skies within two years. These nearly “barebones” electric air taxis could soon be carrying passengers above bustling cities. While technological challenges have largely been resolved, the key obstacle is building the necessary infrastructure such as air taxi stands, take-off points, and charging stations.
08
Oct
Oct
Toyota is further strengthening its relationship with Joby Aviation which is developing electric air taxis with a new investment of $500 million. The funding is intended to help the company manufacture commercial eVTOL aircraft and obtain the necessary aviation certification to enable Joby to launch its air taxi service in 2025.
26
Sep
Sep
The battery for Sora Aviation’s electric aircraft is already undergoing extensive development, showcasing the company’s commitment to ensuring that the vehicle will be not only efficient but also reliable when it enters commercial service. This advanced battery system, critical to the aircraft’s performance, is being designed to meet the unique demands of electric aviation, where both weight and energy density play pivotal roles in determining range and efficiency.