Volkswagen Group China has unveiled its first electrical Vertical Take-Off and Touchdown (eVTOL) passenger drone prototype as a part of the Vertical Mobility undertaking it launched in 2020.
After intensive analysis, conceptual work and improvement, the undertaking workforce lastly has one thing to indicate for within the type of the primary validation mannequin, the V.Mo. This preliminary prototype has additionally been nicknamed the “Flying Tiger” on account of its distinctive black and gold livery that commemorates its launch within the Yr of the Tiger.
Unveiled at Volkswagen Group China‘s headquarters in Beijing, the drone has eight rotors for vertical raise and two propellers for horizontal flight. It has an X-shaped wing with a span of 10.6 meters (34.7 ft) and it makes use of present autonomous driving options and battery expertise for emission-free mobility.
Volkswagen says it’ll conduct a number of flight assessments later this yr to optimize the idea earlier than producing an improved prototype that may bear additional superior check flights by late summer time 2023. In its remaining iteration, the all-electric and automatic eVTOL might ultimately carry 4 passengers plus baggage over a distance of 200 kilometers (124 miles).
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Within the first section of economic use, the drone will doubtless be marketed “as a premium product for high-net price, tech savvy Chinese language prospects, for instance for VIP air shuttle companies,” Volkswagen says.
“It is a pioneering undertaking which our younger workforce of Chinese language consultants began from scratch – they’re working with new design ideas and supplies whereas creating new security requirements, disrupting and innovating each step of the way in which. The launch of this beautiful validation mannequin – the V.MO – is the primary of many exceptional milestones on our thrilling journey in direction of city air journey, and an ideal instance of our ‘From China, For China’ mission. Our long-term intention is to industrialize this idea and, like a ‘Flying Tiger’, break new floor on this rising and fast-evolving new mobility market.”
Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China
Volkswagen Group China’s companions on this undertaking embody Hunan Sunward Expertise, a subsidiary of Sunward, a market chief within the mild sport plane business.
The automaker says that eVTOL air vehicles will be capable of transport passengers extra rapidly and effectively than present typical technique of terrestrial transport and with larger flexibility as city air mobility is ready to play a big position in the way forward for city and intercity transportation in China’s congested megacities.
As its Vertical Mobility undertaking develops, Volkswagen Group China says it’ll work with the related Chinese language authorities to realize certification.
