Embraer, though its EmbraerX “disruptive business subsidiary,” announced the eVTOL at today’s Uber Elevate Summit. The 10-motor electric VTOL concept promises urban mobility through vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and is ready for future autonomous flight.
“As a market accelerator committed to developing solutions to transform life’s experiences, we have been combining human-centered design thinking with our 50-year history of building and engineering expertise in a unique manner. These are the factors behind the technical progress and leading-edge innovations we are bringing to this new eVTOL concept,” said Antonio Campello, president & CEO, EmbraerX.
EmbraerX says, “This new aircraft concept results from a broad range of tests and simulations, aiming at operational optimization for the urban environment, considering high reliability, low operating costs, a lower noise footprint, fully electric powered and progressively autonomous.”
“Embraer’s team focused on the customer experience with their latest vehicle concept, using built-in redundant systems to achieve optimal safety, while also achieving low noise output with an eight rotor system, which enables span-wise lift. Our team looks forward to continued collaboration with the Embraer team to achieve a quiet, green, and safe, aerial ridesharing vehicle,” said Mark Moore, Engineering Director of Aviation, Uber.
Beyond those broad concepts, the announcement came with little factual information such as anticipated speed, range or endurance, or likely time frame for adoption. The Embraer program joins several in the urban mobility landscape. The eVTOL would be part of EmbraerX’s Beacon, which is “designed to foster collaboration and synchronize aviation services companies and professionals in a streamlined and more agile way, to keep aircraft flying.”
