Airbus will test self-driving taxi at the end of the year

Famous airline Airbus plans to test unmanned "flying taxis" (airborne taxis) at the end of 2017.

According to TechCrunch, Airbus is very serious about the "flying car" project . The company plans to test the prototype of a small self-propelled flying device capable of carrying a passenger in an urban environment. The information was revealed by Airbus CEO Tom Enders to Reuters. Accordingly, Airbus is developing a flight device capable of taking off and landing vertically (VTOL) through the Project Vahana project . This is an internal project with the aim of examining feasibility and refining technical factors for the prototype of an urban transport aircraft.

One of the concepts of taxi flying.(Illustration).

At the DLD technology conference in Munich last Monday, Enders judged it to be an "important" project for Airbus. He noted that aerial transit for goods and passengers is useful in reducing urban congestion. At the same time it also affects the process of planning and re-architecture in urban areas.

The Vahana project aims to produce aircraft operating in urban environments with short travel distances in 2021. The actual prototype of the aircraft will be tested by Airbus later this year.

This compact aircraft is designed with 4 variable position propellers that allow it to take off vertically and then fly like other normal aircraft. Airbus values ​​the feasibility and the highest efficiency in designing this "taxi plane" . It is likely that they will use electric motors with the goal of minimizing negative impacts on the environment and, of course, not polluting such as on-ground vehicles operating.

The product of Vahana project will be aimed at small flying devices like this.(Photo: TechCrunch).

The current "flying car" is still a strange concept and seems only in fiction. However, Airbus believes that with the speed of today's technology - especially in the area of ​​self-driving vehicles and electric battery technology - it can realize this vehicle while keeping users safe.

Airbus' biggest challenge after completing this special aircraft is the legal corridor. The company must convince lawmakers that this vehicle is safe to move in crowded urban environments.