Bell’s mock-up
Volocopter was not the only aviation company with a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show this week — Bell Helicopter and SureFly also made the trip to Las Vegas. SureFly had announced they would fly their manned drone at the show on opening day, but the attempt was delayed by rain. No date has been announced for a second attempt. Bell is attending the show for the first time, with exhibits that focus on the development of urban air taxis. “The future of urban air taxi is closer than many people realize,” said Bell CEO Mitch Snyder. “We believe in the positive impact our design will have on addressing transportation concerns in cities worldwide.” Bell is showing a mock-up of a four-passenger cabin for an air taxi.
The Bell exhibit features an “augmented reality simulator” inside the cabin, with a selection of travel scenarios, such as landing on the red carpet for a Hollywood premiere and flying above a cityscape at night. “The air taxi is not a new concept – Bell Helicopter has been moving people over urban landscapes for decades,” said Snyder. “While we are laser-focused on the passenger experience and eager to share with the public, Bell continues to develop ourair taxi design to provide safe, reliable transportation services to the world.”
SureFly’s passenger drone
