On Monday, June 21, a German company Volocopter performed a first test flight of its electrical air taxi at a show in Le Bourget airport in France and claimed to have a service in operation for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
As per the news, the Volocopter 2X flew for four minutes, a 500m route at speeds of 30km/h and 30m high along the Le Bourget airport field. The flying taxi, that looks like a small helicopter, has the space for two people on it, with a compartment for luggage.
Paris Local authorities, public transportation organizations, and airport authorities are helping out the German manufacturer to provide an air taxi solution for the Olympic games.
“We have started our test flight campaigns, and we will do whatever it takes in the coming months and years to fulfill all requirements by the public, by the politicians, but also by the regulators, to bring air taxi services to life here in Paris,” said Florian Reuter, Volocopter CEO.
The manufacturer firm declares its aim that they want to make local air travel reasonable and inexpensive. The company additionally claims that a ride in one of its self-sufficient robots will cost a comparable sum to an excursion in a regular taxi today.
“We work to integrate this at scale with other modes of transportation, to make it affordable and accessible to everyone. Everyone taking a taxi today shall be able to use a Volocopter on selected routes,” Reuter further said.
After launching, the air taxi could be hired through using their app, in that way the passengers will book their seats.
The autonomous air-taxi cannot take off and land just everywhere, they will have their specialized paths and landing stations around the city.
Florian Reuter also said that initially, a fully licensed and trained pilot would operate the flying taxi service to fulfill the current regulations.
“… we want these vehicles to fly fully automated, so you will not need a pilot license anymore,” Reuter added.
