Boeing-backed flying taxi: No pilot needed, proprietary propeller technology
- Tram Ho
Flying taxis are aimed at people who want to get to work, appointments or to the airport faster without having to endure annoying traffic jams on the ground – Photo: Wisk Aero
Wisk Gen6 is the leading candidate to be the first flying taxi to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The expected price for a flight with Wisk is about 4.8 USD/pax/km (equivalent to about 117,000 VND).
With the expectation of surpassing rivals Delta Air Lines-backed Joby Aviation, United Airlines-backed Eve Mobility and American Airlines-affiliated Vertical Aerospace, Wisk’s flying taxis will fly autonomously with a ground-based supervisor able to intervene if necessary – Photo: Wisk Aero
In other words, there will be no pilots on the plane – Photo: Wisk Aero
The passenger seat has a “Help/Help” button on the ceiling for use in case of an emergency or a simple question – Photo: Wisk Aero
According to Wisk, a simple design with fewer moving parts improves safety, reducing the risk of an accident to one in a billion – Photo: Wisk Aero
In addition, high-tech decision-making software attached to the sensors on the flying taxi is designed to detect and avoid the possibility of skidding or collision – Photo: Wisk Aero
With a top speed of 222km/h, Wisk Gen6 has a range of 145km at an altitude of 762 – 1,219 meters above the ground. This flying taxi can be charged in 15 minutes – Photo: Wisk Aero
Wisk has designed a special and exclusive 15 meter wingspan with 12 propellers, 6 in the front and 6 in the back – Photo: Wisk Aero
The wing design with extended push rods allows Wisk to increase stability, improve propulsion and reduce noise both inside and outside – Photo: Wisk Aero
The front rotors tilt to switch from lift to thrust – Photo: Wisk Aero
The rear propellers are fixed to the sky for improved range, controllability and energy efficiency – Photo: Wisk Aero
Instead of wheels, Wisk G6 uses helicopter-style legs – Photo: Wisk Aero
Inside the cabin, Wisk Gen6 has 4 car-style seats, 2 more seats than Gen5. Each seat has four-point seat belts – Photo: Wisk Aero
Console with mobile device charger, cup holder – Photo: Wisk Aero
Touch screen to look through the list to check before flying, as well as track the flight – Photo: Wisk Aero
The trunk is located in front, can hold 4 suitcases for those who take a taxi to the airport – Photo: Wisk Aero
Wisk Aero, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA, has merged with rival Kitty Hawk Corp. in 2017 (this company was sponsored by Google co-founder Larry Page). Boeing then doubled its investment in Wisk, adding $450 million earlier this year.
Wisk expects Boeing’s more than 100 years of aviation experience and manufacturing scale to give it an edge in the extremely competitive air taxi market.
Wisk has developed and tested 6 models from Gen1 to Gen6 over the course of 12 years, with more than 1,600 successful test flights without any accidents. The Gen 1 took off in 2011, small enough to fit in a parking lot.
Source : Genk