In this handout picture received on March 13, 2018 from New Zealand based aviation company Zephyr Airworks shows a "Cora" electric powered air taxi in flight |
Self-piloted flying taxis are being tested in New Zealand as part of a project backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that supporters say will revolutionise personal transport.
New Zealand
regulators on Tuesday approved plans for Zephyr Airworks, a subsidiary of
Page's company Kitty Hawk, to develop and test the futuristic air taxis.
Known as
Cora, the electric aircraft has a dozen lift fans on its wings, making it
capable of vertical take-off and landing like a helicopter.
But
developers say it is much quieter, meaning it could transport passengers in
urban areas using rooftops and car parks as landing pads.
"We
are offering a pollution free, emission free vehicle that flies dependably, we
think this is the logical next step in the evolution of transportation,"
Zephyr chief executive Fred Reid said.
The Cora
prototype being tested in New Zealand's South Island uses three on-board
computers to calculate its flight path and is capable of carrying two
passengers.
It has a
range of 100 kilometres (62 miles) and can fly at 150 kmh at an altitude of up
to 900 metres (3,000 feet).
Zephyr said
using the air taxi would be a simple experience for passengers, similar to
taking a ride-share in a car.
"You
wouldn't have to know anything about flying a plane. Cora could fly for
you," it said in a promotional video.
"And
it would be all-electric, helping to build a sustainable world."
It said
Cora took eight years to design but then developers needed a suitable
environment to safely test the new technology.
They
settled on New Zealand because of its uncongested airspace and rigorous
regulatory environment, with Reid saying local officials had embraced the idea.
"We
had no idea what to expect," he said.
"They
could have laughed us out of the room. We were pitching something that sounded
like science fiction."
Cora has
been given an experimental airworthiness certificate from the New Zealand Civil
Aviation Authority.
Trialling
the flying taxi service will reportedly take six years, with operations based
around the city of Christchurch.
"This
aircraft represents the evolution of the transport eco system to one that
responds to a global challenge around traffic and congestion, and is kinder to
the planet," Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said.
VIDEO: Pilot-less flying taxis are being tested in New Zealand as part of a project backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that supporters say will revolutionise personal transport pic.twitter.com/k4jWQB7Fn2— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 14, 2018
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