Air taxis will revolutionise urban transport worldwide. Drone transport could become commonplace in many places in the next decade. The first vehicles will only carry luggage, but from then on there will be no stopping them – we could be travelling in flying taxis by the end of the decade. But how ready are different countries and regions to launch this service?
23
Jan
Jan
SkyDrive has already demonstrated two years ago that it will soon be able to launch a safe air taxi service over Tokyo. Now they are even closer. SkyDrive has already conducted a manned test of an electric small aircraft in and outside Japan two years ago.
22
Jan
Jan
The AutoFlight Prosperity I, which will not be driven by a robot, but whose creators have extensive experience in the field of aircraft, could be ready to take its first paying passengers as early as 2025.
21
Jan
Jan
The air taxi is waiting for passengers on the ground, and if it is finally given permission to take off, it could redefine urban passenger transport in a way that we will no longer recognise. The technology deserves attention: start-ups for ever more efficient vehicles are proliferating, and a new NASA programme has already demonstrated their viability.
13
Dec
Dec
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.
08
Dec
Dec
Germany’s Volocopter and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM have also set up a joint venture for the project. For some time now, Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of the world’s megaprojects: the Middle East country has built the world’s tallest clock tower – the world’s third tallest – the Abraj al-Bayt in Mecca, and is also building the monumental Jeddah Tower, which will be the world’s tallest building when completed, at over a kilometre tall.