A futuristic flying ‘supercar’ designed for urban travel that can reach speeds of 135 miles per hour at an altitude of 3,000 feet has completed a successful test flight in Dubai.
London-based startup Bellwether Industries completed a test flight of its all-electric Volar eVTOL prototype in Noʋember, but today released footage of the test. According to the company, this futuristic half-sized plane flies at an altitude of 13 feet (4 meters) at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour).
The Bellwether Volar eVTOL prototype has been designed for private owners to replace cars, free up space on the ground for cyclists and pedestrians, and reduce congestion, but it also Can support transportation on request like Uber. It plans to have a full-scale prototype ready and tested by 2023. Availability of the final model is expected in 2028 for on-demand shipping and in 2030 for private ownership. multiplier, allowing users to fly to work for the luxury of commuting.
It said: ‘We believe that people will not be able to travel in the sky within the next 10 years.’
The company says it is the first car in the world without a large wingspan or exposed spoiler, making it ideal for urban use, although the company has yet to confirm exactly what it is. How much will it attract customers?
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Video: Successful test flight of flying car designed for inner-city travel >
Bellwether Industries was able to record eight test flights with its half-scale model during a recent Dubai session, after a year of indoor tethered flights. According to the company, the Dubai test flight demonstrated the stability and controllability of the prototype, and marked the beginning of a series of development projects.
The electric vehicle has a hidden propulsion system consisting of ducted fans, preventing any exposed rotating blades or large wingspans.
The company says it will charge like an electric vehicle on land – at dedicated charging points – although it will have to rely on a “comprehensive transport system and infrastructure” to avoid being charged. falls from the sky when the charge is used up.
The current prototype has just two seats, but the company’s ultimate goal is a four-seat plane to accommodate the whole family, taking city trips at altitudes of 3,000 feet (915 meters). ) at speeds of up to 135 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour).
A spokesman for the company, founded in London in 2019, said: “We want to create private urban jets so anyone can fly from anywhere to any time at any time”.
‘Our sun flies smoothly and supports our efforts in innovation and technology.’
As for pricing, the company hasn’t announced a specific amount but says its goal is to make owning a Volar eVTOL ‘as easy as owning a car’ and ‘neither more expensive nor expensive. than a car’. “But of course, the first electrode model on the private market will be more expensive,” a spokesperson told MailOnline. ‘The plan is to promote on-demand transportation by 2028 and private ownership by 2030.’
Bellwether Industries defines ”olar’ as ‘a new type of transportation – private urban aircraft for intra-city travel. A ʋehicle is defined as a vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which can take off straight into the air, reducing the need for runway space.
The eVTOL industry is predicted by Morgan Stanley to be worth $1.5 trillion (£1.1 trillion) by 2040.
As well as private air vehicles, other companies are also working to create a fleet of commercial vehicles to transport paying customers, much like taxis or shared vehicles except by air. The flying taxi was set to ferry passengers from Heathrow to cities in the south of England for the same price as the Uber service for just four years, but it was canceled last year.
Passengers arriving at Heathrow can take an electronic ‘taxi’ to London’s Canary Wharf in just 13 minutes for £50 per passenger. An Uber journey costs £46. Officials in Paris also hope to use flying taxis to shuttle sports fans around the city during the 2024 Olympic Games.
Korean automaker Hyundai is also planning to develop automated electric taxis with seating for maximum passengers and will fly in the sky by 2028.
Source: dailymailм>
