Airbus Vahana (the flying taxi)

Vahana is the robot electric plane developed by one of the world's largest aircraft-building companies Airbus. The last began to develop this project after purchase of the startup of the same name in 2016.

2018: Video of the first flight

In February, 2018 the aircraft manufacturing corporation Airbus carried out the first air testing of the flying Vahana taxi. Successful test flight was imprinted on video.

Were tested in January, 2018 in the American State of Oregon. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew up approximately on 16 feet (about 5 meters) and kept in air nearly a minute (53 seconds) then made successful landing.

Airbus notes that during trial flight onboard Vahana  there were no people. The flying vehicle of 6.1 x 5.6 x 2.8 meters in size and weighing 744 kg allows to place one person. Most likely, this hybrid of the light plane and  quadcopter will remain one-seat. It can be managed from the earth thanks to the system of an auto pilot and the special computer program.

The company is going to continue tests of the aviataxi. On the next stage it is going to carry out flight from one set point to another. Then will test possibilities of maneuvering and the flat horizontal movement.

According to Airbus developers, they needed only two years for finishing the project from the level of initial calculations before creation of the flying taxi prototype. In a final version the machine will be equipped with the system of automatic deviation from obstacles and climate control, but it will occur not earlier than 2020 when Airbus releases ready option of the flying taxi.

The company estimates the cost of flight of Vahana on 68 km (the maximum distance for February, 2018) at $77. At the same time such flight will take about 18 minutes. At the UAV eight propellers and six rotors are provided.

The device can rise vertically and independently regulates provision of wings. Besides, it also environmentally friendly — all its engines work only at electricity.^[1]

2017: Demonstration of a prototype

In November, 2017 the American corporation Airbus provided a working prototype of the flying taxi with vertical take off and landing of Vahana. 

In June, 2017 at the regional airport of east Oregon  (USA) Airbus prepared the hangar about 892 square meters intended for placement of the aircraft.  Only by November of Vahana delivered in this hangar. For this purpose the airplane was disassembled and again collected.

Vahana

Vahana represents the eight-screw convertiplane with  two rotary wings which, according to developers, can make vertical  take off and landing. Such capability allows to use the device in  limited city spaces. As envisioned by Airbus, the pilotless air taxi will be able to transport one passenger or a load.

Vahana

In November, 2017 in the company reported that the preliminary version therefore it is quite probable that the commercial product will look absolutely differently is developed. At the same time in this version of the device the main solutions which should improve mobility of citizens are implemented.

It is expected that Vahana will become completely electric flying vehicle with function of an auto pilot. Platforms for landing of the flying taxi are supposed to be placed on roofs of buildings in the large cities.

Vahana

Was initially going to begin testing of Vahana at the end of 2018, however moving of the airplane to a hangar can accelerate tests. Airbus hopes to show completely ready sample by 2020.^[2]

By 2017 development of the flying car is conducted about two ten of the companies. In particular, the competitor of Airbus — the American corporation Boeing works on the similar project.

Robotics

Notes