Flying Car Not a Dream Anymore! ‘Drone taxi’ Prototype will Make Heads Turn

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By Vaskar Chakraborty
e200
e200 | Twitter

The concept of a flying taxi that can transport people and cargo through the air is an exciting one, and the ePlane Company’s prototype drone is a step closer to making this a reality. The drone’s size, which is almost that of a car, and its ability to take off vertically and fly forward using both vertical and forward propellers make it unique.

The drone’s design uses eight vertical propellers to achieve vertical take-off, which is a critical aspect of the drone’s design as it allows it to take off and land in areas with limited space. Once in the air, the drone switches to four forward propellers to fly forward for a short duration, making it more efficient in terms of battery usage. The entire drone is powered by batteries, making it environmentally friendly.

The addition of a pilot onboard the drone is a significant development, as it adds a human touch to the transportation experience, making it more reassuring and comfortable for passengers. The drone’s ability to ferry a single passenger and light cargo opens up many possibilities for its use, from personal transportation to deliveries.

The successful test flight of the prototype drone is a promising step towards achieving the goal of flying taxi services by 2025. The technology and infrastructure required for flying taxi services are still in development, but the ePlane Company’s drone is a step in the right direction. The concept of a flying taxi service has the potential to revolutionize the way people travel and transport goods, making it faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Earlier this week, ePlane Company posted a video showing the successful forward flight of their ‘e50’ drone prototype. We demonstrated during this test—during which the drone was operated by a remote control—that the drone can lift off vertically using its eight vertical propellers and then gradually move forward thanks to the efforts of its four forward propellers. We were able to demonstrate the expected transition from vertical flight to forward flight. Founder and CEO of ePlane, Professor Satya Chakravarthy, explained.

Simply put, their drone taxi is designed to take off like a helicopter before gradually picking up speed, switching to its forward propellers, and flying forward like a regular aircraft. The same procedure is followed in reverse when it’s time to land, and it lands back like a helicopter. This makes their prototype plane taxi easier to use in a small area.

According to the sources, The company’s smallest drone prototype, the ‘e6’, with a 1.7-meter wingspan and a 6-kilogram payload capacity, has undergone rigorous testing and flight flights. This model is intended to be used for delivery and surveillance services. The company expects to be able to fly 100 kilometers in an hour and carry 50 kg of cargo on their “e50” model in the next months. By the end of this year, he said, “Our first ‘e200’ drone taxi prototype will be ready, and by 2025, we hope to have the final iteration ready.” The ‘e200’ is an electric drone taxi with a 200km range and a capacity of 200kg (a pilot plus a passenger).

Vaskar Chakraborty

I have a passion for writing, exploring new places, and staying up-to-date with international affairs. In addition, I enjoy indulging in books and classical music, with reading being my favorite hobby. I find great excitement in consuming informative online content, and I also happen to be a big-time food enthusiast.

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