Ep. 23: How Airbus A³ Plans to Bring Autonomous Air Taxis to Urban Skies
May 22, 2017
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Arne Stoschek, head of autonomous systems at Airbus A3, discusses the exciting future of air taxis designed to alleviate urban congestion. He dives into the technical details, such as the innovative designs and lightweight materials that make these autonomous vehicles feasible. Stoschek also addresses the regulatory hurdles facing air taxis and highlights the crucial role of electrification in reducing costs. With urban commuters in mind, he outlines the vision for scalable solutions that could redefine urban travel.
Air taxis could alleviate urban congestion by providing rapid travel options, significantly reducing commute times in densely populated areas.
The development of air taxis requires navigating complex regulatory challenges to ensure safe integration into existing urban transportation systems.
Deep dives
The Concept of Air Taxis
Air taxis are proposed as a solution to urban congestion and commute issues faced by people living in densely populated cities. As urbanization increases, with over 31 megacities worldwide, many individuals spend significant amounts of time commuting, often exceeding one hour daily. The development of air taxis aims to utilize the airspace above congested ground infrastructure to provide a faster mode of transportation. This innovative approach could allow passengers to travel from locations like San Francisco to San Jose in just 15 minutes, presenting a compelling value proposition compared to traditional methods of travel.
Technology and Design Innovations
The air taxi will feature a tilt-wing mechanism, combining the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft with the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of drones. Designed to be compact and fit within the footprint of two parking spots, the vehicle targets one or two passengers or cargo. With a range of up to 100 kilometers and speeds reaching 240 kilometers per hour, the vehicle can quickly maneuver within urban environments. Its electric propulsion system enables significant cost savings compared to traditional helicopters, facilitating a low-cost and environmentally-friendly solution for urban air mobility.
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
Developing air taxis involves navigating complex regulatory landscapes, particularly concerning safety and operational protocols in urban environments. Unlike conventional aircraft operations that follow established regulations, air taxis require new frameworks due to their unique operational characteristics and interactions with existing air traffic. The focus will be on establishing air roads to ensure safe, efficient transportation while addressing concerns about safety, noise, and public acceptance. As discussions with regulatory bodies like the FAA advance, the goal is to ensure that air taxis can safely and effectively integrate into urban transportation systems.
With self-driving cars generating so much buzz, it’s hard to believe that a self-piloting air taxi is, err, flying under the radar. But not for long. We spoke with Arne Stoschek, head of autonomous systems at Airbus A3 (pronounced “A-cubed”), the Silicon Valley-based advanced products and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group about a plan to bring a self-piloted air taxi to the Bay Area’s skies.
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