VOLOCOPTER

Fairgoers were abuzz over a pilotless “air taxi” on display at Daimler’s stand, an all-electric, 18-rotor craft currently under development with Volocopter.

This innovative urban air taxi service aims to give everyone access to vertical urban mobility, an idea that is gaining in significance given growing urbanisation and substantial technological progress in the areas of connectivity, sensors, electrics/ batteries, and drone development.

On-demand urban air transport could play a future role in taking the pressure off inner-city roads while providing an alternative, aerial option. Volocopter has the potential to provide an attractive additional means of transport, especially in urban areas. With its all-electric 18-rotor powertrain, Volocopter offers emissionfree, low-noise, and inner-urban transport and, in the medium term, automated aerial mobility.

Both manned and unmanned versions of the Volocopter are planned. The Volocopter 2X for one to two people is already under development, while a four-seater is also being considered.