We have seen quadcopters being used by a number of platforms. They are mostly used in addition to the cameras like go-pro and are used to take pictures or record videos. They are most commonly used by media outlets. Boeing has released its own version of the quadcopter that can carry a payload of up to 550 lbs.
The technology is known as electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) and the vehicle is known as the cargo air vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with eight counter-rotating propellers and is 15 feet long and 18 feet wide. It also stands tall at a height of 4 feet and weighs 747 lbs.
It took less than three months to design and build the quadcopter and the project was led by a team from the company’s HorizonX division. The copter has already completed the initial flight test successfully at Boeing Research and Technology’s Collaborative Autonomous Systems Laboratory in Missouri.
Even though it is currently controlled by a remote, The makers intend to use it as a flying test bed for the development of autonomous technologies and electric propulsion. It is closely related to the eVTOL passenger air vehicle that Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight sciences is developing.
“This flying cargo air vehicle represents another major step in our Boeing eVTOL strategy,” says Boeing CTO Greg Hyslop, regarding the CAV. “We have an opportunity to really change air travel and transport, and we’ll look back on this day as a major step in that journey.”
Having a quadcopter that has the ability to carry a quarter ton of load might be a handy thing. We will know more details once it becomes commercially available.
