Test a vertical takeoff taxi taxi in Singapore

Experimental activity to assess the feasibility of the vehicle and determine the flight mode that best suits the urban environment in Singapore.

The model of a vertical take-off taxi developed by German airline company Volocopter will have the first test flight in the sky over Singapore in the second half of next year, reported New Atlas. Information published by representatives of the company at the Conference on Urban and Automation Mobile took place in Paris, France on October 18.

Singapore is the next partner of flying taxi company Volocopter.(Photo: New Atlas).

Volocopter 2X has a similar design to a helicopter but was developed based on drone technology. The vehicle is equipped with 18 propeller engines, runs entirely on electricity and can carry two people flying continuously for nearly 30 km in a full charge.

This model of taxi does not emit greenhouse gases and generates very little noise when flying.Volocopter said it was almost impossible to hear the sound of the engine from the ground when the vehicle reached a range of 100 meters.

Volocopter 2X can fly in different modes such as full autopilot, fly with pilot on joystick, or fly automatically in remote control mode. The test activity will assess the feasibility of the vehicle and determine which flight mode is best suited to the urban environment in Singapore. In addition, factors such as humidity, temperature, flight routes and pick-up and drop-off locations should also be considered during the tests.

Simulation design of flying taxi model Volocopter 2X.(Photo: New Atlas).

Volocopter said public demonstration flights will be carried out if the test activity is successful. The taxi pilot test site has not been announced yet, but the Singapore Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) said it would select non-residential areas to ensure safe.