Rolls-Royce Unveils Flying Taxi Concept with Vertical Takeoff Capabilities

Jul. 16, 2018

Rolls-Royce’s flying taxi concept is not a just a conventional flying taxi which relies on batteries to power the device, instead, it is a hybrid model which has been envisioned, and is based upon technologies that are currently available or are under an active phase of development. The concept vehicle employs ahybrid gas turbine technologyto generate electricity that will power the six electric propulsors to keep the taxi airborne, however, it also has a separate battery to store electrical energy.

Rolls-Royce says that the EVTOL can fly at apeak speed of up to 250mph, and can carry four or five passengers for approximately 500 miles. The vehicle iscapable of vertical take-off and landing, one of the most challenging aspects of designing a flying vehicle, and its wings are also capable of rotating 90-degrees.

Moreover, two of the propellers would fold away once the vehicle is airborne to reduce air drag and noise, while the remaining two rear-mounted propellers would handle the thrust. The company already has the propulsion system of the Rolls-Royce EVTOL ready, and is now at work developing the shell for the flying vehicle, that would undoubtedly be an epitome of luxury.