Numerous start-ups and established manufacturers are working intensively on unmanned aviation systems and electrically operated vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These are laying the foundation for an entirely new transport sector: urban air mobility.
Benefits of air taxis for the EU and Europe
- 100 percent reduction of local emissions for electric propulsion
- 73 percent faster delivery of organs between city hospitals possible
- 15 – 45 minutes of travel time between the city and airport saved on average thanks to Urban Air Mobility
- ~90,000 jobs created in Europe in 2030
- ~31 percent of global Urban Air Mobility market to be located in Europe in 2030
- ~4.2 billion euros market size in Europe in 2030
- 1,500 times less likely to be involved in a fatal accident compared to road transport on a passenger kilometre basis
The populations in cities throughout the world are growing rapidly. By 2030, 5.2 billion people will be living in urban areas – roughly a billion more than today. Brand-new transport concepts will, therefore, be required to manage this growth. A lot of hope is being placed on air taxis, as they will relieve the pressure on rail and road by making use of our airspace. According to the market researchers at Allied Market Research, the worldwide market for this will reach 30.7 billion dollars by 2031. According to calculations by management consultancy Roland Berger, the number of drones used as air taxis, airport shuttles and as part of inner-city flight services is set to grow exponentially in the coming years. It is predicted that by 2050 there will be approximately 160,000 autonomous electric drones in use worldwide.
Dirk Hoke, the CEO of Volocopter, is convinced that “in 2050, we will use electric air taxis the same way we use Uber today.”
On the market within just a few years
The first air taxi prototypes are already finished and waiting for approval. The concepts for eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vary markedly – for example, the VoloCity air taxi from Volocopter is equipped with 18 all-electric rotors and looks like a futuristic helicopter. After a short test phase, it is expected to be able to fly completely autonomously. With a wingspan of eleven metres, there will be space for two passengers and their luggage. The air taxi company Lilium is developing a seven-seater with 30 rotors. The air taxi resembles a mini-jet with its wings that have collapsible electric rotors built in. The first commercial model is expected to arrive on the market in 2025, with a range of up to 250 kilometres.
An autonomous future
Initially, the majority of air taxis are expected to be operated by licensed professional pilots. In the long term, however, most air taxi concepts predict entirely autonomous operation. Wisk, on the other hand, is taking a somewhat different approach: their air taxis are expected to fly without pilots right from the get-go. The automated flying functions for this are based on the same technologies used by the “ordinary” autopilots found in current aeroplanes.
They will be supplemented by innovative technologies such as improved detection and avoidance functions as well as additional sensors. To make it easier for the aviation authorities to grant approval, no artificial intelligence is used. However, they will be controlled via a logic-controlled, process-based decision software program which will provide deterministic results. In addition, every flight will be monitored by a human in a ground control station who can intervene when necessary.
3 US dollars per passenger and mile – that’s how much a flight is expected to cost with a 6th generation Wisk air taxi.
2 billion US dollars is the cost of developing an air taxi to the point where it is ready for operation.
Source: Simpliflying.com/Wisk
New technical requirements
On top of the issue of control, there are a few more technical features that air taxis must consider. For example, interference resistance is an important safety requirement, as air taxis will be operating at lower altitudes within cities. That’s why Diehl is equipping Volocopter’s VoloCity with the so-called Fly-by-Light control system – this is particularly resistant to interference from electromagnetic influences such as mobile phones or transmission masts.
Unlike conventional Fly-by-Wire control systems, the electrical signals of the flight control computer are translated into optical signals and therefore controlled optoelectronically. To transmit measured data and commands, light signals sent via corresponding optical fibres are used now instead of electrical signals sent via copper wires.
Europe is defining the regulatory framework
Standards and regulations are, of course, also a prerequisite for the operation of air taxis. This includes modern airspace management and integration with existing air traffic control. In the future, manned and unmanned systems will operate alongside one another. In fact, the European Commission adopted a European Drone Strategy 2.0 at the end of 2022. This includes the vision for how to further develop the European drone market. The new strategy sets out how Europe can promote commercial drone operations on a large scale and how it can offer new opportunities in this sector. In addition, in January 2023 the so-called “U-Space” will be introduced. This is a European system for safely controlling drone traffic that is unique worldwide. Finally, in 2022 the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published requirements for the operation of air taxis in cities. The new regulatory framework covers the technical areas of airworthiness, air operations, flight crew licensing and rules of the air.
“With this, EASA becomes the first aviation regulator worldwide to release a comprehensive regulatory framework for operations of VTOL-capable aircraft, which will offer air taxi and similar services,” says EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky.
Investment from established airlines
For some time now, air taxis have no longer been just a vision of the future, demonstrated by the involvement of major players in today’s conventional aviation industry. In September 2022, the airline United announced an investment of 15 million US dollars in the eVTOL manufacturer Eve Air Mobility, as well as a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seater electric aircraft plus 200 options, with the first deliveries expected as early as 2026.
