In fantasy movies, the one iconic item that shows now is future, is the cars flying around the city and levitating above the streets. The levitation is not here, but flying cars, are always lovable. Honda is one of those, who like Anime. So, lets meet another try of Honda for next flying urban-vehicle, the eVTOL. Its going to make your life easier.
Actually, many says we don’t have such a flying car, every thing with wings is aircraft. Who cares? If this aircraft or flying car, can comes to your house door and flies upper than crowded roads to work, it doesn’t matter at all it’s a car, or aircraft. By the way, Honda showed its air-born concept and didn’t announce it as car or aircraft. What is certain Honda is one rope end of air-ground mobility.
This Honda eVTOL can take off and land vertically. What is interesting, is making a hybrid flying-car. Eight lift-rotors and two pushers are electric along with the main power source, gas turbine engine which make the long flying possible and also charges the batteries.
Maybe it’s the next generation of air taxis with some limited ranges for inner city transportation. But the other strong enemy here, is regular taxi which goes these distances in similar times, with less dangers. So, Honda changed its mind to 400 km flight range. That’s make the offer more interesting. Honda uses eVTOL as a combination of "mobility ecosystem" including ground-based vehicles to take commuters door-to-door without ever climbing behind the wheel.
If you are interested ad waiting to see it on streets, we should disappoint you. In fact, the eVTOL is now jut a prototype in the size of wind turbine, to pass the tests. It needs much more work to make it as a real one. Any thing which likes to fly, should takes many authorities from many other firms and federal governments. Honda wants to accomplish this mission too by 2030. Then, eVTOL will go on advertises.
If such high-flying idea comes to reality, Honda will change the future of public transportation. If every thing goes well, the first flight tests take place in 2023 and then the real decision will be made.
It's a great concept, and a great commuter option for locations 30-60 minutes from a main hub airport. I manage a General Aviation airport 50 minutes from a major hub airport (DTW) and this would be an excellent option for commuters that need a faster way to get to their connecting flight. Please think about establishing the multi modal centers at GA airports.