Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 14.70
…in air mobility, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, leading to mass production by 2028, it reported. “[The plan to unveil a new robot in 2024] is one of the many robotics research and development efforts that Hyundai Motor Group is currently working on,” said a Hyundai Motor Group official. “We are working on developing various types of robots. But nothing has been confirmed about next year.” Kia has set sustainability goals of increasing production of electric vehicles (EVs) to 52% of its total in key markets by 2030, building lower-emission vehicles, and implementing 100% renewable energy usage…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.59
…energy, hospitality, real estate, maritime, and diversified investments. Chaparral eVTOL to carry cargo Elroy Air said the autonomous aircraft and software it is developing are the first of their kind in the industry and will “expand the reach of express shipping to every person on the planet.” The South San Francisco, Calif.-based company added that it has built on the same powertrain and perception technology enabling the electric and autonomous vehicle “revolution.” It claimed that its systems will expand delivery locations, reduce timeframes, and provide immediate aid in disaster and firefighting situations. Elroy Air noted that its aerial drones can…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 15.80
…Last year, Near Earth partnered with Volocopter GmbH for test autonomy for the VoloDrone electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) member also partnered with Kajima for drone inspection of GPS-denied construction sites and with L3 Harris Technologies for drone delivery of blood and medical supplies to combat medics in the field. More recently, Near Earth partnered with aerospace company Kaman Corp. and raised more than $10 million in funding. It also integrated its technology with Kaman’s K-Max Titan helicopter to enable autonomous aerial logistics (see video below). Near Earth said it is expanding and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 21.15
…said it offers fully electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft built specifically for urban air mobility (UAM) missions. Volocopter said it has more than 10 years of development experience and has conducted over 1,500 successful test flights. The company claimed that it is the first eVTOL company to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). With an ecosystem approach that connects key global players in the emerging UAM market, Volocopter said it has developed multipurpose electric aircraft and the supporting physical and digital infrastructure. VoloCity is its air taxi service, VoloRegion is its…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.51
…AAM “vertiport,” riding an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle across town, and then using an e-scooter for the last mile, according to HMG. With the target of beginning commercial service in 2028, Supernal is collaborating with stakeholders to explore physical and digital infrastructure concepts and secure the right ecosystem for the AAM industry to take off. To advance all future businesses and strengthen competitiveness in diverse areas within the Group, HMG plans to increase investment into AI technologies while it also actively pursues new business opportunities with local partners to broaden business infrastructure, achieve carbon neutrality, and others.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 31.08
…the first end-to-end, autonomous electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial cargo system, the Chapparal. It has been working with FedEx since 2020. FedEx Express said it plans to test Elroy Air’s technology within the company’s middle-mile logistics operations, moving shipments between sortation locations. The companies plan to begin test flighting by 2023, after receiving the proper certifications. Elroy Air unveiled its pre-production Chaparral autonomous aircraft in January 2022. The company said the eVTOL cargo system can autonomously pick up 300 to 500 lb. of cargo and deliver it by air up to 300 mi. The Chaparral is capable of…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 23.89
…the first and only electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company to receive Design Organization Approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Volocopter said it has committed to launching commercial air taxi services in cities such as Singapore, Rome, and Paris. The company also announced that Dirk Hoke, former CEO of Airbus Defence & Space, will be its CEO and managing director, starting in September. Investors provide fuel for air taxi takeoff WP Investment led Volocopter's Series E round, which brings its pre-money valuation to $1.7 billion. New investors such as Honeywell and existing ones, like Atlantia,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 34.60
…flight of an autonomous all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for passenger use in the U.S. Wisk logs numerous AAM test flights Wisk said it has expertise in autonomous, electric flight, including insights from the development of five generations of aircraft over the past decade. The company, which also has offices in New Zealand, said it has conducted more than 1,500 test flights. Self-flying eVTOL flights will enable passengers to skip over terrestrial traffic and get to their destinations faster, said Wisk. It added that it intends to operate one of the industry's largest AAM fleets within five…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 9.50
…it is its first-ever electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL), fixed-wing flight platform that can be deployed at any spot and take off without site constraints. Equipped with an intelligent fast-charging battery, XAG M2000 can fly up to 90 minutes in a single sortie and map an area of up to 533 hectares (1,317 acres). XAG demonstrates initial success in autonomous farming XAG noted that digital transformation requires more than one technology. The company said it has introduced its smart agriculture ecosystem into the real-world autonomous farms throughout the full cycle of crop cultivation. In April 2021, XAG launched the…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 13.31
…company has partnered with electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger and cargo vehicle manufacturers to enable safe and efficient flight operations within urban and suburban environments. Avtrain certifies drone pilots and operators for all fixed-wing, hybrid, and single and multi-rotor drones in all weight categories in Ireland. Shannon Group is a company looking to build business opportunities in aviation, property, and tourism. FMCI is a nonprofit organization intended to stimulate research and development of mobility as a service (MaaS). Focus areas include smart city infrastructure, connected autonomous vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), big data management and analytics. Demonstration…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.95
…Vertical Solutions is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, as well as a hydrogen fuel cell-powered 19-seat miniliner/microfeeder. Honeywell brings SATCOM to smaller UAVs Satellite communications, or SATCOM, refers to technologies that connect aircraft to one another and to operators or air traffic control on the ground via satellites. Traditionally, satellite communications terminals have been available only to larger business and commercial transport aircraft due to their large size, weight, and the power required. However, Honeywell said its Small UAV SATCOM system is 30% lighter than competing options, customizable, and can be installed in different locations on…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.11
…Joby Aviation is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Toyota Ventures expands scope Toyota Ventures said it will expand its scope to include smart cities, digital health, financial technologies, materials, and energy. The Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund will also continue to focus on AI, robotics, the cloud, and other technologies. “The Toyota Ventures organization is the perfect example of an entrepreneur-centric, empathetic, thoroughly professional and success-driven team,” said RK Anand, co-founder and CEO of Recogni, a vision recognition provider in San Jose, Calif. Meanwhile, the Toyota Ventures Climate Fund will focus on efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions…