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The origins of eVTOL -

The concept of eVTOL aircraft emerged in November 2009 when a video of the NASA Puffin eVTOL concept went viral. The video showcased a single person concept rendering of the technology, and flight hypothesis. Image: NASA

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NASA's input -

NASA had developed a new technology it called distributed electric propulsion (DEP), an arrangement in which the propulsive and related air flows are distributed over the aerodynamic surfaces of an aircraft. The design improves a craft's aerodynamic, propulsive and/or structural efficiency over an equivalent conventional design.

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A potential quickly recognized -

The potential of DEP was quickly recognized by the aeronautical industry. By 2011, several projects to harness the practical advantages of distributed electric propulsion had taken off, namely the Volocopter VC1 in Germany and the Opener BlackFly (pictured in 2022) in the United States.

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The official introduction of eVTOL -

The eVTOL concept was officially introduced by the Vertical Flight Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2014. In 2017, the Airbus A³ Vahana was unveiled at the Paris Air Show; its first flight took place in January of the following year.

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Uber's Elevate study -

Another early milestone was a paper on a project called Elevate published by Uber that outlined the feasibility of an on-demand aviation transportation system. The document further advanced the concepts of eVTOL aircraft and urban air mobility (UAM).

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Launch of the Lilium Jet -

By 2018, what was once regarded by sceptics as a science fiction concept had become a stand-alone aerospace sector. German aerospace company Lilium, for example, showcased a prototype of its first flying taxi (pictured) during the Digital Summit in Nuremberg. Lilium also used the event to announce plans to launch a five-seat Lilium Jet by 2025, aimed for the air taxi service market.

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The CityAirbus -

Airbus, meanwhile, used Amsterdam Drone Week to unveil a model of the CityAirbus eVTOL air taxi. The event, which took place in November 2018, was the first official European platform for users, manufacturers, services, and regulators to showcase the latest technology in the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) industry.

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Design inspiration -

In June 2019, Uber and French multinational aerospace and defense corporation Safran unveiled a full-scale cabin mock-up based on a vision of on-demand urban air mobility vehicles. While the concept flew no further than the drawing board, the design nonetheless inspired a host of other aeronautical companies and start-ups.

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The Agility Prime program -

The establishment in April 2020 of the Agility Prime program enabled the United States Air Force to partner up with the electric eVTOL commercial industry to "propel the third revolution in aerospace." In August of that year, the first flight demonstration of the Agility Prime program's ORB vehicle took place over Camp Mabry in Texas.

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The EHang multicopter -

It didn't take long for the Chinese to catch up with their competitors. EHang, a company based in Guangzhou that develops and manufactures autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs), began testing its eVTOL two-passenger multicopter aircraft at Yeouido island in Seoul, South Korea, in November 2020.

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Drone traffic management system -

EHang's unmanned multicopter display flight took place at an event showcasing a drone traffic management system by the South Korean government's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport.

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Archer Aviation's Maker -

In June 2021, US-based aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation unveiled its inaugural eVTOL aircraft, Maker, in Los Angeles. Designed to be capable of traveling 60 miles (96 km) at 150 mph (241 km/h), the commercial launch of the Maker is expected by 2024 to "provide sustainable urban air mobility in cities."

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Joby Aviation goes public -

In December 2020, Uber's Elevate was acquired by Joby Aviation. In August 2021, the company went public. An American venture-backed aviation company, Joby promised to build and operate a commercial fleet of aerial taxis by 2024.

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Soar, a new hybrid eVTOL -

The following month, September 2021, a new hybrid eVTOL aircraft named Soar was unveiled with a range of up to 800 miles (1,287 km) thanks to its running on liquid hydrogen to produce electricity for the electric motors and other electrical systems. Soar is developed by Texas-based Paragon VTOL Aerospace and is the second generation version of its nine-seat air taxi design. According to Electric VTOL News, the company is committed to manufacturing at least 50 of their eVTOL aircraft by 2025.

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A vehicle that "anyone can own and fly" -

And 2021 saw the unveiling of yet another eVTOL aircraft when Swedish based start-up Jetson introduced the compact Jetson ONE. Built from aluminum and carbon fiber, and powered with eight powerful electric motors, the aircraft is described by the company as a personal electric aerial vehicle that "anyone can own and fly." Jetson is now taking orders for 2026.

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Wingcopter - Start-up of the Year -

Still in Europe, Wingcopter, a German manufacturer of unmanned eVTOLs, announced in August 2021 that it was partnering with Air Methods, America's leading air medical service provider, to create a drone-based network that can fly medical supplies across the country. Wingcopter won the German Start-up of the Year Award 2023. The following year it applied for and received acceptance for opening the type certification process of its Wingcopter 198 delivery drone in Japan.

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The Volocopter 2X makes history -

Meanwhile, Volocopter had wasted no time since 2011 developing its own eVTOL air taxi. In November 2021, the 2X air taxi took to the skies at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, during a demonstration which saw the first ever crewed public test flight of a fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

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Behind-the-scenes -

While much of the focus is on the development of manned eVTOLs, unmanned electric-powered aircraft are also fast evolving. But with that comes the need for more sophisticated backroom technology. With companies such as Archer, Joby, and Wisk increasingly working on eVTOL air taxis as a way of combating urban traffic and clogged roads, the skills of safety pilots working in flight control rooms (pictured) become more demanding. It's envisaged that neighborhood parking garage rooftops or shopping mall lots could eventually serve as departure or arrival pads for eVTOL aircraft.

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Lilium moves forward -

By 2022, Lilium had further developed its Lilium Jet. The German company wasted no time in advertising its product at air shows around the world. Here, a model of the eVTOL aircraft is displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow in England in July of that year.

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RECON makes Time's Best Invention list -

US-based RYSE Aero Technologies took to the air in June 2022 with the first manned flight of their all-electric ultralight RYSE RECON in Ohio. The following year, RYSE Aero Technologies' RECON made Time's 2023 Best Inventions list.

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Delivering on its promise -

Elsewhere, Joby Aviation had quickly gotten to work delivering on its promise made in 2021. At an event in Marina, California in June 2023, an unmanned preproduction prototype eVTOL was put through its paces.

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US Air Force takes delivery of an eVTOL -

Further testing was undertaken by NASA and the US Airforce of Joby's air taxi in September 2023 in an effort to ascertain its potential for everyday civilian and military use. Soon afterwards, Joby Aviation officially delivered one of its eVTOL aircraft to the Air Force.

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The Midnight hour -

Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL aircraft is set to arrive on the market in 2025. Configured to operate with a pilot and up to four passengers and luggage, Midnight can turn hour-long ground commutes into minutes in the air. What's more, it's designed to enable pricing that is competitive with ground-based ride shares.

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The flying car concept -

The idea of taking a 'car' into the air has been taken literally by some companies. The flying car firm XPENG AEROHT, an affiliate of XPENG Motors and the largest flying car company in Asia, unveiled in October 2023 its revolutionary new designs, including a "Land Aircraft Carrier" modular flying car.

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The Airspeeder Mk4 -

Alauda Aeronautics, however, is leaving everybody behind with its Airspeeder Mk4, the first crewed version of its flying racing car.

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Air power -

Designed and built in Adelaide, South Australia, the Airspeeder Mk4 is the world's fastest hybrid eVTOL aircraft. Powered by a thunderstrike hydrogen turbogenerator, the Airspeeder Mk4 is capable of reaching a top speed of 225 mph (360 km/h) in just 30 seconds from a standing start. "It's designed to set the bar for performance and technology in the radical new sport of piloted Airspeeder racing," says the company.

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The Matrix 1 -

But it's the air taxi concept that remains the winning formula. Here, visitors gaze at Matrix 1, a streamlined and futuristic prototype eVTOL cargo aircraft independently developed by Chinese company Vertaxi, displayed at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, in November 2023.

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Supernal's S-A2 unveiled -

And among the current leaders in the mobility revolution is Supernal LLC, an Advanced Air Mobility company owned by South Korean automotive manufacture Hyundai. Its latest eVTOL vehicle concept is the S-A2.

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In the air by 2028 -

Slated for commercial use in 2028, the S-A2 is a pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle that can travel at up to 120 mph (201 km/h). Featuring eight tilting rotors, each providing vertical and horizontal thrust, the S-A2 is designed for speed and efficiency.

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Safe, efficient, everyday air travel -

Built around the mission of turning a typical 90-minute car ride into a 15-minute flight, the future vehicle will allow passengers to quickly travel point-to-point in crowded urban environments by going vertical. In fact, Supernal believes the S-A2 represents a significant step in introducing safe, efficient, and everyday air travel for city commuters.

Sources: (NASA) (VTOL) (AIAA) (AFWERX) (Aerospace Technology) (Electric VTOL News) (New Atlas) (Airspeeder) 

See also: Who invented the plane? For many people in the world, it was not the Wright Brothers

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