Volocopter’s ‘flying taxis’ are on track to win the right to conduct test flights throughout the Olympics. It will be fabulous exposure for the company’s futuristic drones. Although capable of transporting passengers, the drones will be flown on an experimental basis in Paris.
The german manufacturer’s successfully partnered with French airport, metro, bus operators and the regional government, to make the showcase flights happen. Four landing and take-off zones have been built around the capital, including at the Charles de Gaulle airport and Le Bourget airfield, in addition to a new floating platform on the river Seine in western Paris. The VoloCity’s maximum airspeed of 110 kilometres per hour, with room for a pilot and a passenger, could see the drones utilised as air ambulances at future urban events like the Olympics, as well as air taxis. The Olympics are from 26 July – 11 August followed by the Paralympics from 28 August – 8 September.
Meanwhile Volocopter’s still on target to get certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It’s also set its sights on providing transport for Saudi Arabian tourist developments, like the planned futuristic city of Neom. Volocopter’s confirmed as the sole flight operator for public transit routes for Neom’s residents. Public transport using autonomous vehicles will be the city’s main forms of travel.
