French start-up plans to deploy hydrogen flying taxis
A few days ago, we reported to you that Russia had unveiled its flying taxi, the Cyclocar VTOL. But in Europe, these kinds of projects are also starting to take root. The first flying taxis are actually expected in 2024 in Europe and the first test flights should soon take place in Ile-de-France.
In this regard, a French entrepreneur, Yves Charles, who is at the head of the start-up Avionéo, based in Dijon, plans to design autonomous hydrogen flying taxis. Its objective would be to open up cities thanks to this efficient, accessible solution with minimal impact on the environment. But how is he going to do it?
Avionéo will design an operational prototype of its hydrogen flying taxis
To make this concept a reality, Avionéo is firstly relying on the collaborative research project Vita GéoDRONE and, secondly, on the TurboH2 consortium. Concerning the Vita GeoDRONE project, the goal is to design a device capable of mapping the ground up to 120 m using a radar. The first step therefore consists in building a scale 1 aircraft. Then, placing equipment in place of the future passengers that the aircraft could carry in the future. But before arriving there, Avionéo must raise the sum of 2.5 million euros to move from the stage of the model to the operational prototype.
The first commercial flights will start in 2025
As for the TurboH2 consortium, the teams will work on a multi-fuel turbo generator compatible with hydrogen. For your information, Avionéo’s hydrogen flying taxis should be able to make trips of around fifty kilometers. But also to last 20 minutes at a speed of 150 km / h. The start-up also plans to make its first commercial flights in 2025. As regards autonomy, the devices will be piloted by humans initially. But the start-up ultimately aims to achieve total autonomy.
