Important Innovations

  DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                  By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane PORSCHE'S LUXURY CAMPER - "GLAMPING"                                                                      Source:  Airstream & Porsche VW's iconic, luxury automaker Porsche has partnered with top US travel-trailer maker Airstream to create the ultimate in luxury, glamorous, camping British newspaper "Daily Mail"...

AutoFlight's    eVTOL Successfully Take-offs, Lands, Transitions to Forward Flight                                                  Source: AutoFlight Chinese Company Seeks Certification to Fly Passengers Shanghai-based aviation company AutoFlight has unveiled a very impressive electric Vertical Take Off & Landing (eVTOL) air taxi.  It's called Prosperity 1.  This new eVTOL has successfully demonstrated vertical takeoffs, the transition to rear propulsion for forward flight and switching back to its top propellers for vertical landings.  It is a significant contender in the rapidly accelerating world of flying taxis.  AutoFlight has a portfolio of successfully launched planes and several eVTOLs, including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in mass production - the autonomous V50 White Shark. Tech Specs Prosperity...

  Orlando, Florida Will be Germany's Lilium's 1st US Vertiport                                                       Source:  Lilium Lilium's US Air Taxi Operations Start in 2025 from Florida Germany's Lilium air-taxi is one of the most promising, successfully tested and well funded air mobility startups in the world.  I've been blogging about the company's achievements for some time. It now has $375 million in investor funding.  It is establishing a Dusseldorf, Germany Vertiport planned for its eVTOLs - electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  And now, it announced its first US Vertiport at Lake Nona, a smart city being built near Orlando International Airport.  5 year old Lilium is racing ahead in the eVTOL field to revolutionize short haul transit. Lilium is an electric, green, air taxi se...

World's 1st Drone Cleared for Heavy Cargo Trials Source:  Ehang Booming Drone Business China's Ehang is the world's 1st autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) & eVTOL company approved to perform commercial trials of carrying heavy cargo in its passenger drones.  The pilotless Ehang 216 drones can carry two passengers, go up to 80 mph and travel a distance of 19 miles. It's now the first drone company in the world that is cleared to perform a series of trial tests with the drone carrying cargo loads of 330 pounds and more. Global Market Size Ehang founder and CEO Hu Huazi says the Chinese regulatory authority's clearance will accelerate the commercialization of  AAV/eVTOL technology and air mobility solutions for logistics. He adds it's a foundation for the world to establish a coordinated and sustainable regulatory environment.  The global market potential for eVTOLs is huge.  Morgan Stanley estimates it at $1.5 Trillion by 2040.  30%...

Hyundai's S-A1 Air Taxi: Uber-Hyundai Partnership Source:  Hyundai at CES 2020 Your Next Taxi Ride South Korean automaker Hyundai has created a full-scale prototype air-taxi, the S-A1.  It's a VTOL 4 seater.  And in a gamechanging innovation move, they're teaming-up with the ride sharing service Uber to take this air taxi into the skies during the 2020's.  It will be part of Uber's aerial rideshare service, Uber Air.  The target date for Hyundai to start production on the flying taxi is 2028. The S-A1 was unveiled this week at the CES 2020 in Las Vegas and was cited as one of the biggest innovations of the year. Uber Air Taxi Service With the Hyundai S-A1, Uber Air will work like Uber cars with the added value of an air taxi over traffic. With a push of a button on your phone, a car will pick you up.  It will take you to a skyport where a vertical air mobile vehicle will fly you to your next destination.  You'll then hop into a car to your ...

German Air Taxi Successfully Tested Source:  Lilium artist rendering of the aircraft vertical takeoff in London Lilium - All Electric, Emissions Free The German startup company Lilium hopes to put its 5-seat air taxis into service by 2025.  The aircraft is a 5-seat, all electric, emissions free vehicle and was just successfully tested at a Munich airfield.  It can travel 186 mph and is designed for short distance, city to city travel.  For a great news blog on this, go to  Important Innovations Collection: German Air-Taxi Startup :  Lilium's Great Maiden Flight Source:  Lilium Artist Rendering Source:  Lilium  Jet 5 Seat Electric Air Taxi for Short Di...

Bell's Extraordinary Flying Taxi Bell Nexus Bell Helicopter just unveiled a fully complete model of a functional air taxi VTOL, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.  They have partnered with the ride sharing company Uber on this. It's powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system and uses 6 tilting duct fans for takeoff.  It is extraordinary aviation innovation with demonstration flights planned for 2020.  For a news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Bell's Air Taxi Unveiled : Bell Nexus:  In a Flying Class of Its Own Source:  Bell Helicopter New Meaning to Hailing a Flying Taxi Bell has unveiled an air tax...

Rolls-Royce's Electric Flying Car Source:  Rolls-Royce Air Taxis Rolls-Royce is prototyping an all electric flying car.  It's an EVTOL or electric vertical take off and landing air taxi concept.  The vehicle could carry 5 passengers at speeds up to 250 mph for distances up to 500 miles.  The company promises to produce a vehicle prototype by mid 2020. Storied Jet Engine History Rolls-Royce says it intends to play a leading role in the big, emerging flying car market given their expertise in electric technologies and aviation. They're exploring a range of electric and hybrid personal air mobility systems. The British based company makes commercial jet engines.  Rolls Royce Motor Cars is now owned by BMW and is not associated with this effort. Technology The concept vehicle will be powered by 6 electric propellers with low noise levels.  To take off and land vertically, the wings will rotate 90 degrees.  When the vehicle reaches cruising a...