Last month The WinePress reported on how the United Kingdom was actively working creating an a flying drone superhighway – small flying cars acting as taxis, in other words.
Now the first ever hub for these taxis have opened in the city of Coventry.
The following report is from Smart Cities World:
The world’s first demonstration of a fully-operational hub for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles – such as air taxis and autonomous cargo drones – has been opened in the UK city of Coventry.
Air-One will operate in Coventry for at least one month and aims to provide a blueprint for more than 200 sites planned worldwide over the next five years.
It has been opened by Urban-Air Port, a UK-based developer of ground infrastructure for air taxis and autonomous delivery drones, which is backed by the UK Government and supported by US-based mobility service provider Supernal.
Demonstrator Flights
Air-One will demonstrate aircraft command and control, eVTOL charging, cargo loading for unmanned drones, and will host demonstrator flights. West Midlands Police and Skyfarer will be among the first to operate flights from the site, showcasing how Urban-Air Port’s vertiports can provide drone bases for “sky protection” and high-value cargo deliveries in the near future.
Flights of large cargo drones will also be demonstrated by UK-based drone developer, Malloy Aeronautics, which claims to be the first time a drone of this size has flown in such a dense and built-up urban environment.
Air-One seeks to demonstrate how purpose-built ground infrastructure can unlock the potential of AAM to decarbonise transport and cut air pollution and congestion, while providing seamless passenger journeys and deliveries.
The opening of Air-One is a momentous moment – the starting gun for a new age of transport, an age of zero-emission, congestion-free travel between and within cities that will make people healthier, happier and more connected than ever before. Cars have roads. Trains have rails. Planes have airports. Now, eVTOLs have an Urban-Air Port.
From design, through to fabrication and now into operation, Urban-Air Port has delivered Air-One in just 15 months, setting the standard for deployment globally and opening up a world of possibilities for rapid response air mobility.
Said Ricky Sandhu, founder and executive chairman of Urban-Air Port
Air-One is a 1,700 square metre, prefabricated vertiport designed for both rapid assembly and disassembly. A central 17 metre diameter aircraft carrier serves as the final approach and take-off (Fato) platform in the centre of the structure to support the take-off and landing of eVTOL vehicles.
The interior is fully built out and allows the public to explore various passenger and operational zones, such as the passenger lounge, food, beverage and retail offerings, aircraft command and control centre, charging/refuelling and maintenance hangar and a dedicated cargo logistics hub and passenger processing and boarding zones.
On display inside Air-One is a full-sized model of Supernal’s initial concept vehicle, S-A1, as well as electric vehicles. Drone demonstrations will be conducted throughout Air-One’s stay in Coventry.
Urban-Air Port already has vertiports planned for London, and internationally in the United States (Los Angeles), Australia, South Korea, France, Germany, Scandinavia and South East Asia.
Acting as a single solution to support the uptake of zero-emissions transport, Air-One will also host charging infrastructure for other modes of electric transport, including electric vehicles from some of the world’s biggest and most well-known automotive brands, to seamlessly integrate low carbon transport.
Public Engagement
A series of public engagement events at Air-One aims to bring future air mobility to life for the public and form part of Coventry’s City of Culture celebrations. Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre, part of the research Centre for Future Transport and Cities, has played an important role in shaping Urban-Air Port’s customer journey through its user-centred design expertise.
As announced in October 2021, Urban-Air Port and the international business division of Munich Airport will also closely cooperate on the launch of Air-One.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, said:
This city has a proud history of transport innovation and that legacy lives on with the landmark opening of Air-One.
By harnessing the potential of advanced air mobility systems, this facility has the potential to revolutionise transport for the better. It’s designed to reduce congestion which in turn will boost productivity while supporting climate change efforts by taking vehicles off the roads.
We led the industrial revolution here in Coventry and now, with inventive facilities like this, we are leading the green industrial revolution too.
Members of the public interested in attending can sign up for tickets at Air-One event.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 12:4
In my initial report on these air taxis I noted that, when commenting on the World Economic Forum’s visions for 2030, that was something I said would likely not happen as they referred to it as “flying cars.” However, if this is what they meant, then it is coming to pass, like everything else they say they are doing. I believe that that is being fulfilled. It appears I was wrong in my estimations, concerning that specifically.
Agenda 2030: You’ll Own Nothing And Be Happy
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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