Flying Car News, April 21
Fighting malaria in Malysia, supporting wildlife conservation in Florida, plus Volocopter’s vision for Air Taxi Infrastructure, and more!
This week’s top Flying Car News: Volocopter’s vision for flying taxi infrastructure, drones used in fight against malaria, Samson switchblade surpasses 600 orders, and more!
Recent advancements in drone technology, electric VTOL aircraft, and autonomous systems have paved the way for an aerial transportation revolution. We created the Udacity Flying Car News Series, to ensure you stay up-to-date on all the latest Flying Car and Autonomous Aircraft stories!
Volocopter’s Vision for Air Taxi Infrastructure
Flying Car company Volocopter has detailed their vision for VTOL landing stations in buildings which can handle up to 10,000 passengers per day,
“These stations would include elaborate systems of conveyor belts, swappable battery packs, and elevators leading to vast charging ports — all designed to move the largest number of passengers possible while also ensuring its fleet of short-range aircraft are fully charged and ready to go.”
Terrafugia’s New Modular VTOL Concept
Flying car company Terrafugia has unveiled a new concept for a modular flying car named the TF-2 as they ramp up their workforce in their bid to introduce practical flying cars to the world.
“Having a detachable pod would not only allow passengers to travel door-to-door without setting foot outside, it would also make for faster take-off and landing at the launchpad.”
Drones Used in Fight Against Malaria
Drones are being used to help in the fight against malaria carried by monkeys in Malaysia.
“The Monkey Bar Project has been using drones since 2013 to create these aerial maps. More recently though the team has turned to drones outfitted with infrared or thermal cameras to track the monkeys through the forest.”
Samson Switchblade Surpasses 600 Orders
The $140,000 Samson Switchblade flying car, which is being released in late 2019, has surpassed 600 preorders.
“The technology of our time will finally be in the air at a price that is reachable.” -Jerry Clark, retired USAF pilot and aerospace engineer.
Drone’s Survey Bird Rookeries
Drones are replacing airplane surveys as tools for wildlife conservation efforts of bird rookeries in Charlotte Harbor, Florida.
“The drone produces movie-grade video that allows scientists to zoom-in via computer — allowing the drone to be used from a greater distance than in a boat-based survey in which surveyors employ binoculars and spotting scopes.”
If you are interested in joining the pioneering generation of engineers who will build the smart transportation systems of the future, discover Udacity’s Flying Car Nanodegree Program today!
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