Industry Addendum
Airbus and Audi to test air taxis
July 1st 2018
Airbus SE and Volkswagon’s Audi have signed a Letter of Intent with the German government to trial air taxis in Audi’s home town of Ingolstadt. Read More »
Germany’s transport minister, Andreas Scheuer, said last month: “Flying taxis are not a vision any longer. They can take us into a new dimension of mobility. They are a huge opportunity for companies and young start-ups that have developed this technology successfully. “
At the Geneva Motor Show last March, the two manufacturers unveiled an ultralight two-seater passenger cabin that can be attached to a car or a drone. Also, Volocopter Gmbh, backed by global technology giant Intel Corp. and Daimler AG will offer their drone-like helicopters to ferry passengers across cities in the next three to five years.
Volocopter completed its first flying taxi test flight, reaching an altitude of 200 metres and flying for five minutes, in Dubai last September. The company said its two-seater battery powered helicopter will be able to fly for 30 minutes before the battery has to be recharged.
