Prototypes are finally taking off after a difficult time for investors, and some surprising challengers have joined the race
Among the fighter jets and military helicopters performing for the crowds at the Paris airshow last week, a strange two-seater craft lifted off the runway. Like a drone crossed with a helicopter, the Volocopter has an electric motor and a white wasp-shaped body, on top of which sits a circular frame supporting 18 separate sets of blades, or rotors. With that short flight, the dream of making flying taxis for the masses moved a little closer to becoming reality.
Made by a German startup, Volocopter was the only such vehicle actually flying at the show, while other companies displayed mock-ups. Getting from the costly design and testing phase to even costlier manufacturing will be a major challenge for the industry. Not all of the competitors will survive.
About Author
More Stories
What does Elon Musk want from all this politicking?
Norway to increase minimum age limit on social media to 15 to protect children
Rupert Murdoch’s Dow Jones and New York Post sue AI firm for ‘illegal copying’