One of the world’s biggest aerospace
companies plans to test a prototype of a
flying car by the end of this year, a move that
could be a big step towards easing congestion
on urban roads.
Airbus’s chief executive, Tom Enders, said
planned to test a small prototype flying
vehicle by the end of the year is underway.
Last year Airbus formed a division called
Urban Air Mobility to investigate ideas such
as a vehicle to transport individuals or a
helicopter-style vehicle that can carry
multiple riders. The aim would be for people
to book the vehicle using an app, similar to
car-sharing schemes.
Airbus has been working on “vertical take-
off and landing” (VTOL) technology that
would allow vehicles to pick up passengers in
busy urban areas, and has said it expects to
be putting them into production by 2021.
Although flying cars have been a staple of
science fiction for decades, investment in the
concept is finally emerging. Google founder
Larry Page has invested millions into two
flying car start-ups, while Chinese company E-
Hang has a prototype design.
Uber has also said it is researching VTOL as
an alternative way for passengers to get
around, while companies such as Amazon are
working on delivery drones, suggesting the
skies above cities could become crowded
territory in the future.
“One hundred years ago, urban transport
went underground, now we have the
technological wherewithal to go above
ground,” Enders said.
“We are in an experimentation phase, we
take this development very seriously.”
Autonomous driving is expected to
revolutionise the car industry over the next
decade and Enders believes the technology
could have a similar impact on airborne
transport.
Airbus is already the world’s largest
producer of commercial helicopters, putting
it in prime position get into the potential new
aviation segment.
“If we ignore these developments, we will be
pushed out of important segments of the
business,” he said.
Airbus’s has said its concept for a CityAirbus
vehicle, which passengers would walk to the
nearest helipad to board, could become
reality without too many regulatory changes.
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