Volocopter's flying air taxi has made its official urban flight debut at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on September 14. The German-based urban air mobility provider has a goal of making city transportation safe, quiet, and emission-free by creating "air taxis" and an urban mobility ecosystem according to the company. The flying air-taxi startup received a $30 million investment from Daimler in 2017 and completed a $55.3 million funding round from Geely in 2019, according to The Verge. The VoloCity, which is set to become Voloctoper's first commercially licensed vehicle, can accommodate two people and hand luggage. It has a range of about 22 miles (35 kilometers), and an airspeed of about 63 mph (110 kmh). Read more: Audi created an autonomous off-roader that uses flying drones to illuminate the road instead of headlights Its 18 motors are powered by nine rechargeable batteries that can be swapped in about five minutes, which can help to minimize downtime. Its makers also claim the vehicle is quiet because the 19 rotors all operate in a "narrow frequency band" that sounds twice as loud as a single rotor. Volocopter also plans on opening a "VoloPort" in Singapore by the end of the year. VoloPort will function similarly to an airport where passengers can check into their flights and spend time in lounges while waiting to enter the takeoff and landing grounds. There will also be an operations and services center where the air vehicles can be maintained. Take a look at what may become the future or mobile air mobility:
Volocopter ’s flying air taxi , the VoloCity , has experienced its first urban flight as the manufacturer moves closer to commercialisation . The craft is big enough to transport two people and hand luggage up to 22 miles , at about 63 mph , powered by nine rechargeable batteries and 18 motors . The vehicles can be swapped in about five minutes , without any spare time . Volocopter is also planning a VoloPort flying taxi airport in Singapore by the end of 2019 . The company has been backed by a $ 50 million investment from Daimler and $ 55.3 m from Geely .