- EVTOL aircraft is one that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically.
- Most eVTOLs also use what is called as distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe.
- It works on electric propulsion based on progress in motor, battery, fuel cell and electronic controller technologies.
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Significance
It opens up new possibilities which aircraft with engines cannot carry out in areas such as manoeuvrability, efficiency and even from the environmental point of view.
These use cameras, radar, GPS (global positioning system) and infrared scanners which makes it multi tasking and efficient.
It is pitched as a cost-comparable replacement for short-range urban transportation based on a fan-run tilt-wing design. Prototypes made test flights.
Although these advanced eVTOL vehicles under development still need access to fuel (hybrid) and/or electric charging capability, they can take off and land from almost anywhere.
E-VTOLs are noise free, have a zero carbon footprint and are more affordable. |
Challenges
As the technology so far is a mix of unpiloted and piloted aircraft, the areas in focus include “crash prevention systems”.
There are also issues such as ensuring safety in case of power plant or rotor failure.
Aircraft protection from cyberattacks is another area of focus.
A third area is in navigation and flight safety and the use of technology when operating in difficult terrain, unsafe operating environments, and also bad weather.
There are psychological barriers that need to be overcome when it comes to flying in a fully autonomous aircraft. |
Way forward:
- E-VTOLs have been likened to a third wave in an aerial revolution. The first being the advent of commercial flying, and The second, the age of helicopters
- Although these advanced eVTOL vehicles under development still need access to fuel (hybrid) and/or electric charging capability, they can take off and land from almost anywhere. Therefore, such vehicles, both manned and unmanned can be successfully integrated for the critical missions of the Public Services with extra deployment flexibilities.
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