A network of flying taxi stops that connects Dubai's major tourist spots, with a ride costing little more than the average Careem to hail — this is the ambition of the emirate's public transport chief.
In 2017, German mobility company Volocopter tested a pilotless two-seater drone in Dubai. It flew 200 metres into the air for about four minutes before descending back down to Earth.
At the time, Dubai authorities believed it would take about five years for that vision to become a reality.
While no contracts have been signed, US mobility company Joby Aviation, which makes the aircraft, and UK company Skyports Infrastructure, which develops the take-off and landing spots, have a big presence at the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai this week, alongside the Roads and Transport Authority.
A model on display at WGS shows an air-taxi station next to Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest. It has two parking decks below the take-off and landing field with spaces for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) to recharge their batteries before taking off again.
The Joby prototype is a silent, battery-operated aircraft with seats for a pilot and four passengers. It can fly for more than 240km before needing to be recharged. This would put Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates within range of Dubai, the transport chief pointed out.
The aircraft takes off and lands vertically — while its rotors tilt forward in flight — and can reach a maximum speed of 320kph. The company says it has completed more than 1,000 successful test flights.
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