Results for: city airbus
CityAirbus eVTOL Makes First Autonomous Flight
Earlier this year, CityAirbus eVTOL demonstrated its first untethered flight. Only weeks later, the company has announced it successfully completed its first autonomous flight. This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Airbus as it seeks to bring its aerial mobility prototype to market and demonstrates the ability to fly without an operator on-board. Nonetheless, the company states it plans to initially...

CityAirbus eVTOL Makes First Autonomous Flight

Earlier this year, CityAirbus eVTOL demonstrated its first untethered flight. Only weeks later, the company has announced it successfully completed its first autonomous flight. This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Airbus as it seeks to bring its aerial mobility prototype to market and demonstrates the ability to fly without an operator on-board. Nonetheless, the company states it plans to initially operate the vehicle with a pilot on-board for “mainly for psychological reasons,” an Airbus spokesperson said.
A recently published YouTube video, shown below, demonstrates the vehicles is able to takeoff, hover, and land all with the push of a single button. While Airbus has only demonstrated these simple maneuvers, the company intends to conduct more extensive flight testing at its Airbus Helicopters facility in Manching, Germany.
“We will extend the flight envelope of the aircraft, so we will fly forward and we will fly at medium and higher speeds than we did here in Donauwörth. There we have a secured area to do this kind of flight envelope expansion we need to do,” Bebesel says.
CityAirbus marks the second full-scale eVTOL prototype revealed by the company following its successful completion of a 138-flight test program with its Vahana eVTOL vehicle.
Why it matters: CityAirbus marks the second full-scale eVTOL prototype from the company, after Airbus Vahana. With demonstrated flight tests in both piloted and autonomous regimes, Airbus promises to be adaptable to current and future market demands in aerial mobility. If all goes well, the current prototype will continue flight testing for the remainder of the year in order to demonstrate the ability to perform safe operations without the need for an operator.
Airbus Continues Flight Tests for CityAirbus
Airbus has recently released new footage of the CityAirbus eVTOL performing untethered flight at a facility in Donauwörth, Germany. Watch the footage below. The footage was shared by Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even on his personal Twitter Account. The CityAirbus was quoted as being “a key element in our innovation roadmap in order to develop the techno-bricks necessary for achieving...

Airbus Continues Flight Tests for CityAirbus

Airbus has recently released new footage of the CityAirbus eVTOL performing untethered flight at a facility in Donauwörth, Germany. Watch the footage below.
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The footage was shared by Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even on his personal Twitter Account. The CityAirbus was quoted as being “a key element in our innovation roadmap in order to develop the techno-bricks necessary for achieving sustainable aviation.” Additionally, according to an Airbus spokesperson, the flight in the footage was in line with the previous flight tests, with no setbacks. Interestingly, it was also the first time Evens personally oversaw the flight of the impressive eVTOL demonstrator.
The CityAirbus project, part of Airbus’ designs to develop a workable and mass-producible commercial electric air taxi service, explores many aspects for Airbus’ future program. The demonstrator features a four-seat, multicopter design, with eight propellers encased within four ducted propulsion units, and a top speed of 75mph. Airbus is also experimenting with integrated technology for autonomous flight.
Watch CityAirbus’ first untethered flight here.
For more information on the demonstrator, visit our aircraft page here

The demonstrator features a four-seat, multicopter design, with eight propellers encased within four ducted propulsion units, and a top speed of 75mph.
Why it’s important: As confirmed early summer, Airbus remains committed to the development of the CityAirbus program and air mobility in general. As announced by an Airbus spokesperson, “Airbus considers new forms of air transport such as UAM [urban air mobility] an opportunity to develop key technologies for the future of VTOL platforms, including electric flight and autonomy.”
Source // @BrunoEven (Bruno Even), Twitter
Airbus’ CityAirbus Makes First Untethered Flight
The all-electric multicopter VTOL from Airbus, the CityAirbus, has made its first untethered flight in Donauwörth, Germany at Airbus’ own competence center for military air systems. The CityAirbus project, part of Airbus’ designs to develop a workable and mass-producible commercial electric air taxi service, explores many aspects for Airbus’ future program. The demonstrator features a four-seat, multicopter design, with eight propellers...

Airbus’ CityAirbus Makes First Untethered Flight

The all-electric multicopter VTOL from Airbus, the CityAirbus, has made its first untethered flight in Donauwörth, Germany at Airbus’ own competence center for military air systems.
The CityAirbus project, part of Airbus’ designs to develop a workable and mass-producible commercial electric air taxi service, explores many aspects for Airbus’ future program. The demonstrator features a four-seat, multicopter design, with eight propellers encased within four ducted propulsion units, and a top speed of 75mph. Airbus is also experimenting with integrated technology for autonomous flight.
Watch the CityAirbus’ first untethered flight below:
Notably, the CityAirbus design does not feature a fixed wing, which may make it less efficient than other existing eVTOL concepts. A slide shown by Uber at the 2019 Elevate Summit, charting complexity against mission performance (cruise speed and lift-to-drag ratio), marked CityAirbus in the lower-left corner: low complexity — with no tilting rotors or other vectored thrust technology — but also low performance. However, this version of the CityAirbus is simply a technology demonstrator, meaning that Airbus may soon develop additional features to solve the issues of performance.
Why it’s important: As Airbus continues to further develop concepts for projects such as Vahana or CityAirbus, it gets closer to the final design of its eVTOL rideshare service. With Vahana concluded for now, Airbus will continue moving forward with the CityAirbus as well to eventually finalize its eVTOL design.
Source // Aviation Today
CityAirbus Unmanned Air Taxi to Take Flight This Month
Alongside the Vahana and Pop.Up Next, Airbus is also taking on the endeavor of building the CityAirbus, an unmanned air taxi currently being prototyped in Donauworth, Germany. Since 2016, Airbus has been testing components and systems of the CityAirbus in order to validate its design and eventually fly a full-scale model. Airbus describes their vehicle as “a multi-passenger, self-piloted electric...

CityAirbus Unmanned Air Taxi to Take Flight This Month

Alongside the Vahana and Pop.Up Next, Airbus is also taking on the endeavor of building the CityAirbus, an unmanned air taxi currently being prototyped in Donauworth, Germany. Since 2016, Airbus has been testing components and systems of the CityAirbus in order to validate its design and eventually fly a full-scale model.
Airbus describes their vehicle as “a multi-passenger, self-piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) demonstrator designed for ubran air mobility with cost efficiency, high-volume production and a low environmental footprint in mind.” The company has taken a slower, more meticulous approach to the manufacturing and sub-scale testing of the vehicle due to its complexity and in hope that the design can be feasible for full-scale production in the near future. First flight of the prototype CityAirbus vehicle was originally planned for the end of 2018, but has since been postponed to some time in the upcoming weeks.
The 4 pairs of contra-rotating propellors, each 2.8m (9ft 2in) in diameter, are powered by 8 specially designed Siemens SP200D (100kW operating power, direct-drive) drivetrains with exceptional torque to weight ratio. The result is a cruising speed of 120 km/h while on flying with the autonomous system on fixed routes. According to Marius Bebesel, head of urban air mobility at Airbus, they are focused on perfecting the architecture and safety systems with the unmanned CityAirbus first, but plan to possibly include the option for piloted flight. Though, it will be initially operated by a pilot to “ease certification and public acceptance, paving the way to future fully-autonomous operations.”
The propulsion system is designed for a max capacity of “four passengers over congested megacities to important destinations such as airports or train stations in a fast, affordable and environmentally friendly way. The innovative four-ducted propeller configuration significantly contributes to safety and low acoustic footprint,” according to Airbus. Meanwhile, Airbus is still perfecting its design with trade studies, such as the investigation of switching from wood to composite propellors, in order to be confident in the design as a high-volume production vehicle.

For more technical specifications of the CityAirbus, visit the Hangar.
Why its important: Airbus is showing a strong commitment to the urban air mobility industry by investing in a third concept design. The specifications of the CityAirbus are comparable to the vehicles of other leading companies, possibly demonstrating the convergence on an efficient design that will best fulfill the need this industry is attempting to address. The thorough design and testing process of the CityAirbus will be put to the test in the upcoming few weeks, as it first attempts to depart the ground.
Airbus CityAirbus

Quick Summary
The Airbus CityAirbus is the long view approach from the commercial aircraft giant to produce a streamlined passenger air taxi for use around congested urban areas. Airbus formerly created the A^3 Ventures Vahana aircraft as an eVTOL technology demonstrator, and has now moved on to continuing development of the CityAirbus.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Wingless eVTOL, Intracity
Powerplant: All-Electric
Range: 60 miles
Top Speed: 75 mph
Propeller Configuration: 8 lift/thrust rotors (4 dual rotors)
Passenger Capacity: 4 passengers
Autonomy Level: Autonomous
Dimensions: 9ft propellor diameter, 26 ft length
Other Information
The flyer below is posted on the Airbus CityAirbus official site as the full technical specifications for the aircraft:

Our Take on the CityAirbus
Airbus has been working separately on multiple approaches to aerial mobility including the A^3 Vahana and Pop.Up Next, but appears to be giving the most focus to the CityAirbus. Notably, the CityAirbus completed its first successful full-scale test flight in May of 2019, and its first fully autonomous test flight in August of 2020. Although Airbus' vast resources in aviation and multiple aircraft concepts spell success for the company in aerial mobility, Airbus is not one of the parters for the Uber Elevate operator network. This means Airbus will either have to build its own operations platform or find another operator company for its aircraft.
References
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Airbus Debuts H130 Flightlab for Helicopter and UAM Tech Testing
Airbus Helicopters announced in a press release on January 22nd that it has started in-flight tests on board its Flightlab, which Airbus describes as a “platform-agnostic flying laboratory exclusively dedicated to maturing new technologies” A priority of the FlightLab is reportedly the dual application of the technologies being tested onboard: both for today’s helicopters to become more advance and in...

Airbus Debuts H130 Flightlab for Helicopter and UAM Tech Testing

Airbus Helicopters announced in a press release on January 22nd that it has started in-flight tests on board its Flightlab, which Airbus describes as a “platform-agnostic flying laboratory exclusively dedicated to maturing new technologies”
A priority of the FlightLab is reportedly the dual application of the technologies being tested onboard: both for today’s helicopters to become more advance and in the long run for aerial mobility aircraft to leverage.
Testing subjects include hybrid and electric propulsion technologies, autonomous systems, and other technologies that are aimed at reducing helicopter sound levels or improving maintenance and flight safety.

Airbus’ CityAirbus eVTOL Design
Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO characterized the motivation for this project: “Investing in the future remains essential, even in times of crisis, especially when those innovations bring added value to our customers by targeting increased safety, reduced pilot workload, and reduced sound levels. Having a dedicated platform to test these new technologies brings the future of flight a step closer and is a clear reflection of our priorities at Airbus Helicopters.”
Airbus shared that flight tests commenced in April of 2020, when the demonstrator was used to measure helicopter sound levels in urban areas and to particularly study how buildings may affect people’s perception. First results show that buildings play an important role in masking or amplifying sound levels and these studies will be instrumental when the time comes for sound modeling and regulation setting, especially for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) initiatives. Testing was pursued in December to evaluate the Rotor Strike Alerting System (RSAS) aimed at alerting crews about the imminent risk of collision with the main and tail rotors.

The Airbus Flight lab seen in flight
Tests this year will include an image-detection solution with cameras to enable low altitude navigation, the viability of a dedicated Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) for light helicopters, and an Engine Back-up System, which will provide emergency electric power in the event of a turbine failure. Testing on the Flightlab will continue in 2022 in order to evaluate a new ergonomic design of intuitive pilot flight controls intended to further reduce pilot workload, which could be applicable to traditional helicopters as well as other VTOL formulas such as UAM.
Why it’s important: Airbus is electing to advance the development of their enabling eVTOL and UAM technologies using the FlightLab testbed, arguably an approach that will allow for more rapid maturation of the onboard equipment than would be possible on a concept air taxi, given that the H130 is already a certified aircraft and will allow for flight path control and airspace integration variables to be isolated while testing can focus on specific operational functionalities of Airbus’ proposed onboard suite of eVTOL equipment.
Hatzolah Air to Receive 4 CityHawk Aircraft from Urban Aeronautics for EMS Services
Urban Aeronautics has reached an agreement with Hatzolah Air to provide four CityHawk VTOL aircraft for EMS applications. Additionally, Hatzolah Air will serve as Urban Aeronautics’ official sales representative and distribution channel to other EMS and rescue organizations worldwide. This agreement builds upon the MOU that the two companies reached in August of 2020, in order to develop, produce, and...

Hatzolah Air to Receive 4 CityHawk Aircraft from Urban Aeronautics for EMS Services

Urban Aeronautics has reached an agreement with Hatzolah Air to provide four CityHawk VTOL aircraft for EMS applications. Additionally, Hatzolah Air will serve as Urban Aeronautics’ official sales representative and distribution channel to other EMS and rescue organizations worldwide. This agreement builds upon the MOU that the two companies reached in August of 2020, in order to develop, produce, and market the CityHawk aircraft for EMS applications.
The CityHawk’s design is well-suited for EMS services and aerial mobility, both of which prefer small, lightweight, VTOL vehicles. The CityHawk is a twin-engine VTOL aircraft that utilizes jet propulsion and features Urban Aeronautics’ internal rotor Fancraft technology which implementes powerful ducted fans and possesses superior control, stability, speed, safety, noise reduction, and sustainability. One of the main advantages that the CityHawk will hold over conventional EMS aircraft such as rescue helicopters is the size; the CityHawk is comparable in size but can hold 20% to 30% more in the cabin, and lower noise pollution. Urban Aeronautics plans to finish the development of the CityHawk, achieve FAA certification for EMS use, and be ready for commercial production within three to five years.
The CityHawk currently incorporates two SAFRAN Arriel 2N helicopter engines, 2 x 985 SHP. The 2N features a new axial compressor, a new HP compressor diffuser, new HP turbine blade material, and a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control linked to a modernized fuel system.
Hatzolah Air is a 501c3 Disaster Response Organization that assists with urgent and emergent calls for help for patients and those in need. Currently, Hatzolah Air utilizes fixed-wing aircraft for Hatzolah’s urgent and emergent missions. Urban Aeronautics’ engineers will be working closely with Hatzolah’s experts to tailor the CityHawk flying ambulance for Hatzolah’s operations, where it will accommodate a pilot, as well as a patient, companion, two EMS personnel, and will include a complete suite of onboard life support equipment.
Why it’s important: Urban Aeronautics has had a long track record of successful VTOL development, starting with the Cormorant. This agreement allows Urban Aeronautics to gain a foothold in the EMS service industry, and hopefully display the full potential of the CityHawk once finished.
Source // Green Car Congress
City of Orlando Partners with Lilium for Aerial Mobility Development
The city of Orlando is making additional investments for the aerial mobility framework of the future. The Orlando Business Journal reported that the Orlando City Commission is preparing to offer a total of $831,250 USD in tax benefits to Lilium over a period of 9 years to engage and attract aerial mobility companies to create an estimated 140+ jobs in the...

City of Orlando Partners with Lilium for Aerial Mobility Development

The city of Orlando is making additional investments for the aerial mobility framework of the future. The Orlando Business Journal reported that the Orlando City Commission is preparing to offer a total of $831,250 USD in tax benefits to Lilium over a period of 9 years to engage and attract aerial mobility companies to create an estimated 140+ jobs in the Lake Nona development.
Lilium reportedly was quoted stating that the investment is earmarked towards construction of a 56,000 square foot transportation hub, which would substantiate the job increase figures quoted. This transportation hub would serve as the primary means for aerial mobility operations for Lilium within Florida, and would likely serve other cities and locales with smaller scale “sub-hub” vertiports or individual helipads.
The agreement also underscores another often overlooked component of aerial mobility implementation – the personnel required to run the business. While a key facet of future mobility is ongoing automation of previously manned tasks, the bridge solution between current technological readiness and that of the 22nd century will include humans in the loop for the forseeable next decade, or two. Accounting for and planning the infrastructure for human interaction and operations that interface with the aerial mobility industry (across design and operations phases) is crucial to short-term success that will ultimately allow for mid to long term success.
Not unlike current fulfillment centers, aerial mobility transportation hubs will require personnel to perform quick turn actions to replenish battery packs, conduct maintenance and troubleshooting on aircraft needing repairs, and manage the physical implications of safety stocks of parts and other supply chain considerations. Increasingly, the infrastructure to support these applications is very similar to that of current factories and fulfillment centers, which also represent economic advantages to commercial land owners and developers within local economies.
Why it’s important: Orlando’s agreement with Lilium will provide an economic boost to the area, in addition to more jobs, and emphasizes the importance of human touch-labor for aerial mobility processes today. Bridge solutions will involve human interaction with eVTOL technology for at least another decade, which mean that there is additional opportunity for local economic development and stimulus from the aerial mobility industry prior to any commercial air taxi operations taking place.
Source // Orlando Business Journal
Iris Automation Showcases BVLOS Tech to City of Reno
The City of Reno Fire Department was shown a live drone flight demonstration of the Casia onboard Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) collision avoidance system from Iris Automation last week, highlighting the drone’s capabilities to effectively operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The demonstration was conducted within all Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP). The demonstration...

Iris Automation Showcases BVLOS Tech to City of Reno

The City of Reno Fire Department was shown a live drone flight demonstration of the Casia onboard Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) collision avoidance system from Iris Automation last week, highlighting the drone’s capabilities to effectively operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The demonstration was conducted within all Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
The demonstration took place in Nevada over the Carson River at Fort Churchill State Historic Park, using a drone integrated with Casia to illustrate how this cutting-edge technology will be used to provide automated situational awareness for drones and their pilots. DAA is a crucial component of beyond visual line of sight drone operations today, and commercial aerial mobility operations of the future, which will rely on very similar algorithms (in some cases the same) to ensure traffic deconfliction from other commercial aircraft and air taxis.
In Reno, the Fire Department intends to utilize this technology for a “River Search and Rescue program” that will test the safety and capability of using drones during river rescue missions in an effort to improve response times and reduce exposure of both first responders and victims to dangerous conditions during river rescue operations. The City of Reno reported that initial BVLOS flight operations will take place at the Carson River location with future testing to be conducted over the Truckee River as soon as next year. “The City of Reno has been a leader in the UAS community, and this demonstration is another example of the application of these technologies for public benefit,” said Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation.
In May 2018, the City of Reno was selected by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) as one of nine state, local and tribal governments to participate in the FAA UAS IPP. The UAS IPP is working with the nine public-private partnerships to implement and study specific drone applications across the United States in an effort to advance the safe integration of drones into the nation’s airspace. This program will effectively lay foundations for future aerial mobility operations that feature the same air traffic deconfliction logic, but with larger eVTOL aircraft that are carrying passengers, businesspeople, or medical first responders and patients.
Why it’s important: Iris’ technology for detect and avoid, and their BVLOS demonstration for the City of Reno’s Fire Department, both showcase the technological readiness for aerial mobility deployment in the coming years. The natural progression into full-scale aerial mobility operations will be through proven technologies on smaller scales (i.e. drones beyond visual line of sight) prior to those technologies being used for monitored, but autonomous aerial mobility flights through more congested airspace. This announcement also emphasizes the FAA’s level of commitment to technology maturation and integration with the existing airspace system, which accompanies the added goal of ensuring that current users of the National Airspace System are not affected.
Source // City of Reno Press Release
Airbus Focuses on Hydrogen Power for Flight
Aviation giant Airbus has continued to push forward industry advancement with the release of three new hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts. Although the concepts are fixed-wing rather than eVTOL, the release of these new aircraft can do much to push forward the world of aerial mobility propulsion, suggesting high potential for the future of hydrogen-powered flight. The new aircraft (depicted below) are...

Airbus Focuses on Hydrogen Power for Flight

Aviation giant Airbus has continued to push forward industry advancement with the release of three new hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts. Although the concepts are fixed-wing rather than eVTOL, the release of these new aircraft can do much to push forward the world of aerial mobility propulsion, suggesting high potential for the future of hydrogen-powered flight. The new aircraft (depicted below) are scheduled to enter flight service by 2035.

The ‘ZEROe’ zero-emissions aircraft series includes a turbofan concept, a turboprop concept, and a “blended wing body” concept, which will open up multiple options for hydrogen storage and distribution and cabin layout
Liquid hydrogen represents a fairly bold choice for Airbus for the future. Previously Airbus had been working on the E-FanX, a now archived battery hybrid-electric concept. While many companies such as eViation Alice, Ampaire, and VoltAero are still focusing on creating rechargeable hybrid aircraft, which will greatly improve fuel use efficiency, Airbus is entering new territory in choosing liquid-hydrogen propulsion. eVTOL companies using hydrogen as a power source so far only include the Alaka’i Skai, and the Urban Aeronautics CityHawk. In general, hydrogen power is often chosen for its energy efficiency by weight. For example, a pound of liquid hydrogen can output more energy than can a lithium-ion battery of the same weight, making it a good choice for efficiency in aircraft design. However, hydrogen is not always as readily available as electricity.
This release by Airbus represents the company’s larger efforts to innovate in aviation. Of late, Airbus has also concluded its Airbus Vahana eVTOL project, and begun additional work on its Airbus CityAirbus eVTOL concept, which has now successfully completed autonomous hover flight. Airbus also recently outlined its vision for the future world of aerial mobility as a whole in its Airbus Altiscope blueprint.
Why it’s important: Airbus’s choice of hydrogen gives significant insight of what kind of fuel zero-emission aircraft may use in the future. Although many current eVTOL concepts currently are battery-electric only, some have chosen to use hydrogen as well for their various purposes. To many aircraft developers, choosing between hydrogen and battery-electric will be an important strategic business and technology choice, focused on what kind of applications their aircraft require.
EHang to Expand Production Facilities in Yunfu City
Guangzhou based EHang announced in late July their intent to expand their autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) production facilities with the construction of a new facility in Yunfu city in Guangdong, China. The planned initial annual capacity of 600 units matches the roughly US$6 million investment that was supported by the local government in the facility. According to EHang, the Yunfu...

EHang to Expand Production Facilities in Yunfu City

Guangzhou based EHang announced in late July their intent to expand their autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) production facilities with the construction of a new facility in Yunfu city in Guangdong, China. The planned initial annual capacity of 600 units matches the roughly US$6 million investment that was supported by the local government in the facility. According to EHang, the Yunfu facility is “aimed to be established as an industry-leading AAV production center, including an R&D facility for air mobility solutions and a training center for operations and technical talents.”
Donghong Shi, Deputy Mayor of Yunfu, attended the launch ceremony and commented that the Yunfu city government “welcomes and fully supports” EHang establishing their new production facility for the manufacture of AAV products. The Deputy Mayor also commented that the expansion is expected to further strengthen the local high tech communities and serve a a job source for hundreds of new positions in the technology industry.
EHang Founder, Chairman and CEO, Huazhi Hu said, “The increasing market demands and commercialization of AAVs in China are driving us to expand our production and upgrade our manufacturing capabilities. The EHang Yunfu facility serves as an expansion of our existing facility and will support the growth of our air mobility business in China.”
Why it’s important: EHang’s expansion to Yunfu will allow for increased production rates and the ability to meet growing demands of on-demand transportation, logistics, and emergency response needs. No other AAV company has formally disclosed their intent or current ability to produce 600 units per year. With this new facility and the accompanying capacity to produce 50 units per month, EHang has taken a large stride forward to establish the manufacturing infrastructure commensurate of large scale commercial implementation of aerial mobility aircraft. This infrastructure is a key component of large scale mobility systems, as most economic studies of aerial mobility assume that commercial viability is predicated upon widespread implementation to reduce costs.
Related: read more about EHang’s Aerial Mobility Firefighting system here.
Source // EHang Press Release
Urban Aeronautics Partners with HyPoint to Design Hydrogen-Powered CityHawk
Israeli aviation company Urban Aeronautics has partnered with HyPoint in order to develop a hydrogen-powered version of their CityHawk eVTOL. The partnership enables Urban Aeronautics to utilize HyPoint’s unique “turbo air-cooled” hydrogen fuel cell design to replace the existing powertrain which uses jet fuel. The new design of the CityHawk will possess obvious advantages; Lightweight, emission-free, reliable, and powerful, HyPoint’s...

Urban Aeronautics Partners with HyPoint to Design Hydrogen-Powered CityHawk

Israeli aviation company Urban Aeronautics has partnered with HyPoint in order to develop a hydrogen-powered version of their CityHawk eVTOL. The partnership enables Urban Aeronautics to utilize HyPoint’s unique “turbo air-cooled” hydrogen fuel cell design to replace the existing powertrain which uses jet fuel. The new design of the CityHawk will possess obvious advantages; Lightweight, emission-free, reliable, and powerful, HyPoint’s fuel cell is ideal for use in a sector of aviation that increasingly favors environmentally friendly aircraft designs.
The CityHawk, a commercial version of the Cormorant, possesses a moderate resemblance to a futuristic car, lacking the wings or propeller arms that would be seen on the frame of a typical eVTOL aircraft. Officially designated as a “fancraft” by Urban Aeronautics, the VTOL takes flight through inconspicuous lift rotors installed at the front and rear, and is able to seat six people, with autonomous piloting.
The current design of the CityHawk (and Cormorant) requires the use of several turbine engines, of which the power requirements vastly exceed the ability of any lithium battery-based powertrain, which was the main reason why Urban Aeronautics pursued a partnership with HyPoint. A hydrogen fuel cell powertrain possesses both the capability to run the turbine engines while also presenting a much more environmentally friendly alternative to jet fuel. According to Rafi Yoeli, CEO of Urban Aeronautics, “We look forward to collaborating with HyPoint on the integration of the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell systems for eVTOL transportation and the urban air mobility market… As a high-power, 100 percent environmentally friendly fuel, hydrogen is key to the future of eVTOL aircraft.”
Why it’s important: Urban Aeronautics pursuing a hydrogen based fuel source for the CityHawlk allows for them to keep the attractive design of the Cormorant, which possesses one of the smallest ground footprints of any VTOL air taxi design capable of seating four or more people. A completely electric powertrain is currently not feasible with existing battery technology, but the proposed alternative is the next best thing, as it will still allow Urban Aeronautics to vastly reduce their carbon footprint from their design.
Source // New Atlas
Singapore to Develop Aerial Mobility Service with Airbus
Singapore and Airbus have secured a deal to lay the foundations for potential services with both passenger and larger cargo carrying air vehicles throughout Singapore. The island-nation-state’s plan to improve regional connectivity builds on an earlier agreement established in 2016 between Airbus and Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) for proof-of-concept trials of a cargo-carrying Skyways unmanned air system. Under the memorandum of...

Singapore to Develop Aerial Mobility Service with Airbus

Singapore and Airbus have secured a deal to lay the foundations for potential services with both passenger and larger cargo carrying air vehicles throughout Singapore. The island-nation-state’s plan to improve regional connectivity builds on an earlier agreement established in 2016 between Airbus and Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) for proof-of-concept trials of a cargo-carrying Skyways unmanned air system.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Airbus and CAAS will develop an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system to support the early phase of the air mobility service. The two will also collaborate on developing a framework for safety and operating standards as well as study issues such as public acceptance. The framework will be based upon many of the learnings that have come out of Airbus’s Skyway program, which studied the ability to pre-program safe aerial routes for autonomous drones to execute short-range parcel deliveries.
According to Jean-Brice Dumont, executive vice president of engineering for Airbus, “Skyways was a laboratory for UAM at a smaller scale. Now we need to go the extra mile, so with this agreement we are doing that. There are still questions of the business case and technology. In terms of business, we can see an appetite in the market, even though it’s a niche right now for more emergency needs where time is of the essence or where its value-added, like shore-to-ship deliveries.”
Technology studies will focus on traffic management as well as “the overall system, guarantees, performance, safety and cost,” says Dumont. “We are flying with a couple of vehicles and in that sense, we are already there. But when you are flying with 20 or 100 vehicles at the same time along given routes then you are defining a system and that’s what we are doing with UTM.” The vehicles that Airbus plans to implement in this program will likely be similar to what has already been developed and tested by the manufacturer. Just last month, the CityAirbus made its first untethered flight in Donauwörth, Germany, and the Vahana wrapped up its flight testing Pendleton Airport in Oregon.

Airbus Vahana amidst a test flight at Pendleton Airport in Oregon, USA. Credit // Airbus
This memorandum of understanding between Singapore and Airbus mirrors a similar agreement between Bell, Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corp. to explore on-demand air mobility services in Japan. The partnership was announced just days prior, and centers on the use of the recently unveiled Nexus 4EX eVTOL, which plans to address air mobility studies as well as the required infrastructure and regulatory environment.
Related: Bell Unveils All-Electric Nexus 4EX at CES 2020
Why it’s important: Top urban air vehicle manufacturers are beginning to seek opportunities around the globe to stand up small-scale implementations of their technologies in a realistic environment. These applications and opportunities are signaling the increased readiness of the vehicles to be tested in a realistic environment in which the services can eventually be scaled to fulfill commercial passenger transportation needs. Incremental steps in these introductory applications are the key to proving the safety of the technology and garnering the required public acceptance in order to eventually make aerial mobility widespread.
Source // Aviation Week
Bell’s Smart City Showcases Urban Air Mobility Operations and Logistics
At the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) show in Las Vegas in early January, Bell demonstrated a model-sized cityscape with scale flying versions of its Nexus passenger air taxi and Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) operating with Bell’s AerOS urban air mobility operating system. Calling it a “smart city ecosystem,” Bell president and CEO Mitch Snyder explained, “This year, we’re demonstrating what...

Bell’s Smart City Showcases Urban Air Mobility Operations and Logistics

At the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) show in Las Vegas in early January, Bell demonstrated a model-sized cityscape with scale flying versions of its Nexus passenger air taxi and Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) operating with Bell’s AerOS urban air mobility operating system.
Calling it a “smart city ecosystem,” Bell president and CEO Mitch Snyder explained, “This year, we’re demonstrating what governing, operating, working, and living in a smart city will look like.”
Bell’s service is powered by Bell AerOS, a proprietary system running on Microsoft Azure created to manage fleet information, observe aircraft health, and manage throughput of goods, products and predictive data and maintenance. This digital infrastructure is prevalent in Bell’s Smart City vision at the show and serves the company’s goal of providing Mobility as a Service (MaaS).
Bell has also settled on a smaller version of its Nexus passenger vehicle, with four rotors instead of the six previously shown at CES 2019. The aircraft features Bell’s signature powered-lift concept with four tilting ducted fans that can be configured as hybrid-electric or all-electric. Bell believes this design unlocks the key for all electric technology, but the vehicle will remain “propulsion agnostic” depending on customer needs.

Bell’s APT70 (left) and APT20 (right). // AIN Online
At CES, the smart city demo included tablet stations where visitors could interact with AerOS, choosing departure and destination, and then watching in real-time how the flying models interacted. The AerOS software constantly assesses demand across the scale-size city and deploys vehicles accordingly, while also taking into account problems that inevitably come up during passenger and cargo flying operations, such as weather events that might require all vehicles to land immediately. AerOS uses goal-seeking optimization algorithms and artificial intelligence to anticipate passenger behavior and desires as determined from the booking engine and the vehicle’s needs for battery recharging to meet the flight schedule. “We are working on modeling simulation tools now. We need to do better than have a good model, but we have tools in-process to refine and update that without an army of PhD data scientists. This solves the digital backbone need of aerial mobility.”
Why it’s important: In a world where nearly 70 percent of the population will be living in urban areas by 2050 and cities are outgrowing their current transportations systems, the need for urban mobility solutions has never been greater. Fortunately, the transportation industry has reached an inflection point, and many of the world’s top minds are working toward solutions for the optimal smart city design. Bell is bringing a clear mission of finding solutions to the infrastructure challenges of tomorrow’s transportation networks.
Sources // AINonline; Bell
Airbus Concludes Testing of Vahana at Pendleton
Airbus, one of Pendleton Unmanned Aerial System Range’s largest customers, is moving out Airbus had been utilizing the space at the Pendleton Range to work on Project Vahana; their unmanned air taxi concept. Steve Chrisman, the airport manager and economic development director of the Pendleton Range, confirmed on December 17th that A^3, the Silicon Valley subsidiary of French aviation company...

Airbus Concludes Testing of Vahana at Pendleton

Airbus, one of Pendleton Unmanned Aerial System Range’s largest customers, is moving out
Airbus had been utilizing the space at the Pendleton Range to work on Project Vahana; their unmanned air taxi concept. Steve Chrisman, the airport manager and economic development director of the Pendleton Range, confirmed on December 17th that A^3, the Silicon Valley subsidiary of French aviation company Airbus, had finished up testing for Project Vahana at Pendleton and was moving out of town.
Zach Lovering, VP of A^3’s urban air mobility systems, wrote in a blog post late December that the group had achieved everything that they had set out to do since they first started testing the aircraft in January 2018. Lovering additionally reported that during the time A^3 was testing, Project Vahana had created four to six full-time jobs, although none of the employees would continue with Pendleton.
According to Chrisman, the reasoning behind Airbus’ departure from Pendleton was fully specified, but it was confirmed that the company would forward the information from Project Vahana over to other air-taxi projects being worked on internationally. Although Airbus is moving on, Chrisman said the city’s working relationship with the company was good and both sides could reconnect one day on a future project. Chrisman was optimistic about the future of UAS in Pendleton, quoted as saying:
We’re going to see a lot of movement in the next decade or two.
Airbus’ departure comes in the midst of a multi-million dollar industrial project in the city of Pendleton in anticipation of rapid growth in the UAS industry. According to Chrisman, turnover should be expected at the UAS range in the future, but one of those companies settling down to start a production facility was still expected.
Why it’s important: Airbus’ departure from Pendleton and the conclusion of testing for Project Vahana indicates that the company has drawn all relevant data on the air taxi demonstrator that is required for the time being, and can now augment and advance their current designs with the learnings from the variety of testing that was conducted at Pendleton. Additionally, Pendleton Range now has space and resources available to other aerial mobility companies that are interested in testing their concepts.
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