Flying taxis will be a reality in the coming years. Well-known aeronautical companies are also investing in this form of transport. Like those of Wisk, who have just presented the second generation of a 100% autonomous flying taxi, although it is still in the prototype phase.
Flying taxis will prevail in the future. Large aeronautical companies like Boeing are working on this interesting technology, and one of the examples is Wisk. An American startup that has the backing of this great aircraft manufacturer, and that has just presented a prototype of a flying taxi completely autonomous. The sixth generation of a winged multicopter-type apparatus.
The new prototype is practically definitive, consisting of a cabin that offers enough space for transporting four passengers and a cargo volume that has not been pointed out, a significant improvement compared to previous generations that only had a cabin for two passengers. The interior has been designed so that, despite having the corresponding landing skids, it has a platform for loading and unloading people with reduced mobility without big problems.
Wisk’s new flying taxi can take off and land vertically thanks to “eVTOL” technology
Technically, Wisk engineers have designed the multicopter with a large wing that extends from the sides, housing a dozen electric propellers with larger feather-type blades that can be tilted forward to improve stability and allow a maximum speed of 120 knots, equivalent to 220km/h. Its specifications have not been announced, nor has the battery capacity, but it has been targeted at a maximum flight range of 144 kilometers.
Wisk sources point out that it will be able to reach a maximum flight altitude of up to 1,200 meters, being able to carry out autonomous but supervised flights human, thanks to powerful air navigation software that it houses, with sensors capable of recognizing the most complicated situations and carrying out manoeuvres.
The next step in its development is to get the United States air traffic control authority issue a special certificate to carry out the pertinent tests as an autonomous flying taxi, which will allow it to be launched on the market in the more distant future and face commercial flights. Wisk experts estimate that the price per mile, and passenger, may be only three dollars. A new form of mobility for short trips but more than interesting.