An electric Volocopter with 18 rotors recently made its first successful manned test flight. The whole event was recorded on camera.
The Volocopter VC200 is an 18-rotor electric helicopter or multicopter that completed its first manned flight without any issue. Its unique design makes it a cross between a helicopter and a drone. The device is made of fiber composite material and can lift off and land in a vertical manner. It can also hover in the air as operated, with a take-off weight of 450 kg or 992 lbs.
TechWorm reports that the fully electric motors and 18 rotors are powered by nine individual batteries, giving it a top speed of 100 km/hr or 62 mph. During the manned flight, the Volocopter was able to reach 25 km/h or 15 mph at low altitudes.
The Volocopter VC200 was developed by E-Volo, a german company. The aircraft also has two seats and its electric engine has precision control that can be operated using a single joystick with several buttons. Before the recent manned flight, E-Volo has done over 100 unmanned test flights. There will be more manned flights to be conducted, which will have the aircraft move at higher speeds and altitudes. The company plans to have the Volocopter travel at 50 km/h at a medium altitude next while the final stage will have it travel at its top speed of 100 km/h at high altitudes.
According to Engadget, some of the big benefits that the Volocopter feature include being fuel-free, easy to fly and quietness. Costs for training and maintenance are significantly reduced by the multicopter.
“It is definitely a sublime feeling to lift off, fly the first few meters, and then actually take my hand off the joystick and think that, yeah, it’s really as if I’m standing on the ground, and then I look down and there are 20-25 meters beneath me," Alexander Zosel said, managing director of E-Volo, who piloted the maiden test flight over an airfield in Germany on Mar. 30, 2016. "So it’s definitely unbelievable what we’ve achieved here. It’s seriously unbelievable!”
E-Volo plans to offer quick and easy flights for the masses. If the tests prove successful, the Volocopter may be produced in huge quantities. The company may also offer the aircraft to render air taxi services for predetermined routes such and sensible traffic nodes.
More tests are necessary to show that the Volocopter is practical, safe and efficient for regular public use. More updates and details on the technology are expected soon.
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