A German aviation startup Volocopter is among the most active players to launch the nascent flying taxi. They have tested an 18-rotor electric aircraft in Dubai and very recently in the US. The company is spreading its wings and has announced its plans to set up a shop in Singapore and start test flights in 2019. The pilotless electric aircraft Volocopter is built to take two passengers on short automated flights within urban centers. The idea behind the electric aircraft is that one-day people will start using the dedicated Skyport stations to reach their destinations by flying.
Volocopter says that its aircraft can cover 30 km in one charge and can reach an altitude of 100 m so that no noise can be heard from the ground. Moving into Singapore involves establishing a local design and engineering team and working with the local real-estate developers and mobility firms.
The company states that test flights are scheduled for the second half of 2019 and will be designed to check the suitability of Volocopter for Singapore’s urban environment. Florian Reuter CEO of Volocopter said, “We are getting ready to start implementing the first fixed routes in cities. Singapore is a logical partner: The city is a true pioneer in technology and city development. We are confident this is another exciting step to make air taxi services a reality.”