The Chinese arm of German automotive giant Volkswagen Group has finally unveiled its first all-electric Vertical Take-Off & Landing (eVTOL) flying taxi prototype as part of the Vertical Mobility Project (VMP) that it launched in 2020.
Developed after intensive research, the prototype came out in the form of the first validation model (the V.Mo), and it has been nicknamed the “Flying Tiger” because of its distinctive black & gold livery that honors its launch in the Year of the Tiger.
Just unveiled at at Volkswagen Group China’s headquarters in Beijing, the V.MO validation prototype is a fully-electric passenger drone equipped with a total of eight rotors for vertical lift and a couple of propellers for horizontal flight. It features an X-shaped wing spanning 10.6 meters (34.7 feet), and uses existing autonomous driving solutions. For providing emission-free mobility, it relies on just batteries. It other words, it doesn’t use any kind of fossil fuel.
According to the manufacturer’s claims, the all-electric and automated eVTOL is ready to conduct test flights later this year. Data collected during the planned test flights will be utilized to optimize the concept before producing an enhanced edition of the prototype that will undergo further advanced test flights by the mid of 2023.
The final iteration of the eVTOL will eventually be able to carry up to four passengers in addition to luggage over a distance of 200 kilometers (roughly 124 miles) on a single charge. In the initial phase of commercial use, the eVTOL will be used as a premium product for rich, tech savvy customers in China. For example, it will be used VIP air shuttle services.
Volkswagen Group China CEO Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein described the eVTOL as ‘pioneering project’ started by a young team of Chinese experts from scratch.
Speaking about the project, Wöllenstein added, “They are working with new design concepts & materials while developing new safety standards. The launch of this stunning validation model – the V.MO – is the first of many remarkable milestones on our exciting journey towards urban air travel, and a perfect example of our ‘From China, For China’ mission.”
The top executive also revealed that their long-term aim is to industrialize the eVTOL concept, and break new ground in the fast-evolving new mobility market.
Futuristic eVTOLs are being seen as quicker and more efficient means of terrestrial transport, with greater flexibility. Hence, this upcoming urban air mobility solution is set to play a key role in the future of urban and intercity transportation.