eHang, Volocopter and Archer Aviation are each billion-dollar or multi-billion valuation companies that are racing to establish the commercial VTOL air taxi industry in the 2021-2024 timeframes.
Flying super-sized drone taxis are using electric engines and should become lower cost than helicopters. Multiple engines should be safer as one or two engines could fail and there would not be a crash. The unfortunate example of the risk with helicopters was the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash last year.
eHang VTOL for Passengers and Packages
eHang is expanding into Europe in France, Spain and Austria. eHang is operating in China.
eHang is working on launching package delivery with DHL.
eHang has a valuation of $2.7 billion.
eHang is flying in 40 cities in China and could get the permit for air taxi operation this year. They expect this to be in common usage within 3 years.
Volocopter
They are the first and only electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) company to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. They have scaled up the eight-engine hobby drone to carry a pilot and a passenger.
Archer Aviation
Archer Aviation is targeting commercial air taxi operation by 2024. Archer has a $3.8 billion valuation after a SPAC deal and have a $1 billion order from United Airlines.
SOURCES- Volocopter, eHang, Archer Aviation
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
Yes. I meant an AI autopilot might have prevented that chopper's failure mode since it was human err and not engine failure.
i believe the report blamed pilot error and poor visibility
The big show starts this year! Good luck to you Nhs!
A plan so cunning that you could stick a tale on it and call it a weasel!
Has anyone thought of putting Mr.Rossi's E-CAT's in each engine?
No, it isn't. In America, where the right to bear arms is the right to be free, I expect them to be blasted out of the skies – no jury would convict. Over here, we'll just strangle them with red tape.
Arial taxis are a must as long as they are super quiet. Is this even possible?
No indication that motor failure occured.
Multiple engines doesn't prevent that failure mode.
Perhaps if Waymo cross trained their auto pilot, people tend to refer to assorted choppers as "flying cars".
—Drake