Within a decade, technological advances could profoundly revolutionize urban transport: unmanned, take-off and landing aircraft, eVTOLs or flying cars could come.
Although their spread is hampered by even more serious problems today, their emergence could bring about revolutionary changes in the aerospace industry similar to those we are currently experiencing in the automotive industry. The next big leap in mobility may come soon.
One hundred years ago, Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer of American aviation and one of the founders of the U.S. aerospace industry, dreamed of three-seater, detachable-wing “flying cars” that shortened hours on the ground for hours on air.
After a century, Curtiss’s dream seems to be coming true.
A NEW TYPE OF VEHICLE IS EMERGING THAT CAN REVOLUTIONIZE THE TRANSPORT OF GOODS AND PASSENGERS BETWEEN URBAN AND IN URBAN
Deloitte ‘s study on the subject states.
These are electric or hybrid-electric vehicles capable of vertical take-off and landing that deliver the traffic to the destination quieter, faster and cheaper than conventional helicopters. The category is called “hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing”.
Barriers to new technology
However, as a novelty, eVTOL also faces a number of challenges. The Deloitte study lists the following factors that could hinder the spread of these revolutionary new types of vehicles:
Technological challenges. EVTOL is not a fully fledged technology today. They need to create reliable engines, high-precision positioning systems, advanced detection and accident prevention solutions to make the technology a success. Answering energy management questions is also key.
Infrastructure challenges. The infrastructure needed to operate them must also be built. In addition to take-off and landing areas, car parks, charging and service stations, emergency landing sites, the creation of a communication and control network and a unified operating system is also inevitable.
Regulatory challenges. Defining the operational framework is a very serious challenge. It is no wonder that, in addition to vehicle development, eVTOL manufacturers are working together to create a regulatory framework for air taxi transport. The biggest task is the safe and efficient operation of the airspace with increased traffic. An unmanned vehicle traffic management system capable of interoperating with existing air traffic systems needs to be developed. This will require a reliable and secure communication network, a predictable and consistent navigation system and constant monitoring.
Societal challenges. Deloitte surveyed people’s perceptions of eVTOLs in a 10,000 consumer survey. Nearly half of respondents say technology is a great solution against traffic jams, but 80 percent believe these devices are not completely safe. The key question, then, is whether manufacturers can overcome these fears.
Air traffic control system. For conventional aircraft, ie airplanes and helicopters, it is expected that many more eVTOLs involved in the transport of passengers and goods will be able to fly, so the airspace will have to be divided and managed separately. How the two systems work side by side is up to governments and local governments to determine. The authorities will have to decide what certificate of airworthiness the unmanned vehicles will be able to carry and if they will meet them.
Urban infrastructure. Building the facilities needed to service air taxis in the city is neither easy nor cheap. It is inevitable that not only businesses but also local governments will be involved in creating these conditions.
Aviation industry. Just as the advent of electric cars has forced traditional automakers to step in, serious changes can be expected in the aviation industry. Just as car and travel sharing services have been combined with the benefits of technological advances and geolocation, and the image of urban transport has been reshaped, eVTOL technology will also change air traffic between and within cities.
DELOITTE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE NEW-TYPE AIRCRAFT MARKET CAN REACH $ 17 BILLION BY 2040.
A dizzying pace of development is expected. Technology is evolving rapidly, and in addition to multinational giants, small technology startups are already working on the development of eVTOL. These include the Slovenian Pipistrel, the British VRCO and RollsRoyce, the American AirspaceX or Bell, and the Brazilian Embraer, so the first eVTOLs are up to
THEY CAN APPEAR ONE OF THE CITIES IN A DECADE.
For similar startups like them, Deloitte Technology’s Fast50 program has been launched, looking for the most innovative businesses in the field.
A Texas company wants to offer single-person, rental electric planes for recreational purposes in major U.S. cities later this year. The vehicles are designed to be controlled with a joystick, so they don’t need a pilot’s license either.
LIFT’s single-person aircraft could be the industry’s next success story, as it could be the first to provide a single-person flying experience for anyone. This is because the machine is light enough for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to classify them as an “ultralight” vehicle. However, ultralight vehicles do not require a permit.
The drones have recently launched a real revolution in human flight as well, as they have been introduced to concepts such as air taxis or joystick-controlled, multi-rotor single-person aircraft since their inception. They all evolved from unmanned aerial drones, only much larger than them, and also provided a seat for passengers.
Tesla, Uber, or various car, motorcycle, bicycle, or even scooter-sharing service providers have transformed and completely reinterpreted urban transportation.
The next step in the complete transformation of mobility could be the emergence of eVTOL and self-driving flying cars.
Recent article
Air taxi News & Articles
Crash landing with an air taxi
Drones News & Articles
The drone navigates like a bat
Drones News & Articles
Weightlessness with a drone
Air taxi News & Articles
Cities of the future, where air taxis and drones populate the skies
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Finnish engineers have created a small robot that can fly
Electric airplane News & Articles
The world’s largest unmanned electric cargo plane
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Japanese startup that makes flying “motorcycles” goes public
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Rolls-Royce’s microreactor is a new dimension in propulsion
Flying Cars News & Articles
The X2 flying car can fly under certain conditions
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Jetoptera is developing an FPS-powered aircraft
Air taxi News & Articles
Development of Airbus’ air taxi could accelerate
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
NASA’s new engine in action
Drones News & Articles
India also sees potential in agricultural drones
Drones News & Articles
Airbus launches drone production
Flying Cars News & Articles
SkyDrive Japanese flying car to enter commercial service in 2026
Additional aircraft
ARC Aerosystems’ newest aircraft the Linx P9
Drones News & Articles
Expect lots of drones in the future
Propulsion-Fuel
NASA funds development of a new type of nuclear engine
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
Drones News & Articles
The drone market is a good long-term investment
Drones News & Articles
In Romania, a drone is already taking samples from hospitals to the robotic laboratory
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
ZeroAvia’s Dornier with hydrogen-electric propulsion system flies for the first time
EVTOL & VTOL
What growth can we expect in the Evtol market in the coming years ?
Drones News & Articles
Flying drone home delivery is also being tested in Budapest
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are air traffic control and air navigation services adapting to eVTOL ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
What safety measures would be introduced in flying cars to prevent accidents ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Revolutionising crop production with aircraft
Drones News & Articles
Valkyrie drone placed in the US Air Force National Museum
Drones News & Articles
Black Swan unmanned aircraft can handle transport in Europe
Drones News & Articles
Drone-operated motorway planned in the UK
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Could modernised versions of airships return ?
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Aviation on the verge of a revolution
Drones News & Articles
Chinese drone could stay in the air almost forever
Additional aircraft News & Articles
The world’s first flying motorcycle is about to fly
Drones News & Articles
Walmart’s drones now deliver in seven Member States
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are companies and governments working to develop and regulate electric Evtols and what challenges do they face in bringing these vehicles to market ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What developments have been made in the field of electric motors ?
Air taxi News & Articles
Stellantis joins forces with air taxi developer Archer
More articles you may be interested in...
Additional aircraft
ARC Aerosystems’ newest aircraft the Linx P9
Drones News & Articles
Expect lots of drones in the future
Propulsion-Fuel
NASA funds development of a new type of nuclear engine
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
The introduction of air taxis, also known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles,.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
The developers thought about those who are stuck in hard-to-reach places and help takes time........... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Could modernised versions of airships return ?
Aviation in its current form is not sustainable. The emissions associated with it are staggeringly.......... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Aviation on the verge of a revolution
Humanity has always had a desire to fly, starting with hot air balloons in the.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Chinese drone could stay in the air almost forever
Researchers at Northwestern University of Technology in China claim to have developed a method to.......... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
The world’s first flying motorcycle is about to fly
The Jetpack Aviation Speeder, one of the tiniest jets ever built, could soon receive its.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Walmart’s drones now deliver in seven Member States
Walmart's drone delivery program is expanding nicely. According to the company, shoppers in seven US.......... READ MORE
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are companies and governments working to develop and regulate electric Evtols and what challenges do they face in bringing these vehicles to market ?
Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or Evtols, have garnered significant attention in recent years.......... READ MORE