An updated drone prototype will be developed by the summer of 2023.
While large international concerns are actively investing in the air mobility industry, the German Volkswagen Group is introducing its first passenger drone prototype.
Designed for four passengers, the fully automated drone was officially named VMO and nicknamed "Flying Tiger. The aircraft is painted in black and gold and is capable of accelerating up to 200 km/h.
The VMO is 11.2 meters long and 10.6 meters wide, equipped with eight rotors for vertical mobility and rear propellers for horizontal movement. The drone can operate for up to 60 minutes on a single charge.
The project is being developed by Volkswagen China, and partners in the creation of the passenger drone are the consulting company Tangerine and electronics manufacturer Sunward. The creators of the drone plan to introduce it into the urban environment as a VIP-taxi.
“Our vision is for a private eVTOL that will serve the growing urban elite who will be traveling between Chinese megacity clusters for business and leisure,” Volkswagen China commented, noting that the drone will be used as a “premium product for high-net-worth individuals.”
