Futuristic electric heli-pod fleet of ‘thousands’ set for 2030 World Expo in Saudi Arabia
Claire Reid
A startup is creating a fleet of these super cool electric miniature helicopters that will be used to transport attendees at the 2030 World Expo.
Austrian-based FlyNow is working away on producing ‘thousands’ of the cute-looking helicopters for the World Expo in Saudi Arabia in 2030.
In a post shared on LinkedIn by Saudi Arabia Holding Co. CEO Mohammed Al Qahtani announced that FlyNow is set to open up a production facility in Saudi Arabia so it can get going with its ambitious plans.
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FlyNow will produce a fleet of ‘thousands’ of helicopters
The post said FlyNow is gearing up to ‘provide thousands of electric helicopter aircraft by 2030 to enhance mobility and sustainability during the International Expo in Riyadh’.
The small e-helicopters are available as either single or double seaters, which are able to carry payloads of up to 200kg (440lbs) and have a maximum takeoff weight of 570kg (1,256lbs).
They have a 30-minute flight time with 50km (31 miles) range and can hit speeds of up to 130km/h (80mph).
They’re also incredibly green and run entirely on batteries, which means they produce zero CO2 emissions.
Alongside that, FlyNow says the helicopters are pretty low-cost to produce, claiming to have around 10 times lower production costs compared to market competition.
And it is a growing market, with numerous companies getting involved with the eVTOL industry, such as this Jetson model that is basically a helicopter for one and the unique-looking Peagus E that sort of resembles a flying go-kart.
The company says its electric heli-pods are ‘unmatched’
But as well as claiming to be cheap to produce, FlyNow says its helicopters have an ‘unmatched flight time and range’ and ‘high social acceptance and great inflight experience’.
The company also boasts certification readiness, meaning it can offer a fast time to market in a multitude of jurisdictions.
FlyNow says its aim is to bring ‘environment-friendly urban 3D mobility’ that is affordable for everyone.
“Urban Air Mobility is designed to complement and extend existing transport infrastructure, providing individuals with more options to reach their destination,” said Jürgen Greil, FlyNow CEO.
And, let’s be honest – they look really cool and futuristic, too, don’t they?
Something to watch out for in 2030.
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