CycloTech a producer of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles with a 360° thrust vector control system has unveiled CruiseUp – “an air vehicle that visualises the benefits of CycloRotor technology within a compact, passenger-oriented design.”
“Based on 15 years of CycloRotor technology development, wind tunnel testing and experience from more than 500 flights of its technology demonstrator, the CruiseUp concept is designed to meet individual air mobility needs expected to emerge next decade” according to the press release.
“CruiseUp uses CycloRotors as its electric propulsion system, ensuring safety for both the environment and the two passengers. The moving parts of the CycloRotors are encapsulated and the specific configuration of CruiseUp shields the passenger cabin. The 6 CycloRotor configuration of CruiseUp provides a high level of redundancy, allowing to fly and land safely, even in the event of a rotor failure. The specific orientation of the 6 rotors, with 2 on the length axis of the vehicle, enables high-precision sideways and backward flight, as well as mid-air braking – all without tilting or banking the vehicle.
“CruiseUp offers a top speed of 150km/h and a range of 100 km, while most megacities and their suburbs are within a 20 km radius. The first wave of electric flying VTOL vehicles, featuring air taxis and air shuttles will finally enter commercial operation next year – mostly in airline style, piloted, and as shared service within a pre-defined network of fixed locations.
“CycloTech, however, anticipates the second wave of sustainable electric flying to emerge a decade later, when individual air mobility with privately owned eVTOL vehicles will begin to satisfy the ultimate customer expectation – true point-to-point transportation capability at one´s own disposal. “With the dimensions of 6.7m x 3.3m CruiseUp is just 50% bigger than current cars and way smaller than most of the air taxi concepts and thus fits into our domestic environment” says project manager Andrea Marchsteiner. While the 20th century taught mankind to fly with fossil fuels, the 21st century will see emission-free “Flying Cars/Air Cars” become part of a new normality.”
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(Image: CycloTech)