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These Personal Flying Machines Are Coming

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. 8/these-personal-flying-machines-are-coming.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 3:24 GMT by Interesting Engineering
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The Players on the Horizon

The field is crowded with start‑ups and established aerospace players, each with a slightly different take on the same concept: an aircraft that can lift off and land vertically, travel at moderate speeds, and land in a few minutes of the start of a trip.

• Lilium – A German company that has developed a 12‑seat eVTOL with 36 ducted‑fan motors. Lilium’s aircraft is designed for rapid acceleration, reaching 180 km/h in 30 seconds, and a projected range of 300 km. The company’s flight tests, conducted in 2022, demonstrated stable hover and forward flight. Lilium claims a goal of launching a commercial “air taxi” service by 2026.

• Volocopter – Headquartered in Germany, Volocopter has built a lightweight 2‑seat platform that uses 18 rotors arranged around the fuselage. The company’s prototype, the “Volocopter 2X,” performed its first public flight in 2021. With a take‑off weight of just 360 kg, it can carry a pilot and a passenger for up to 35 km, with an expected commercial launch in the next few years.

• Joby Aviation – Based in California, Joby’s three‑wing design has a single battery pack powering 12 electric motors. The aircraft can carry three passengers and is designed for 200 km ranges at speeds up to 200 km/h. The company has filed a “remote pilot in the loop” safety plan and aims to receive certification from the FAA by 2024.

• EHang – A Chinese firm that has already produced a 2‑seat autonomous eVTOL, the “EHang 216.” It has performed a series of test flights and is planning a commercial service in Chinese cities. Their design relies on a tilting‑rotor mechanism similar to the “turbine‑jet” concept used in some helicopter models.

• Uber Elevate – Although Uber spun out its Elevate division into a separate company (Joby, as mentioned above) in 2020, the original concept remains influential. Uber’s initial vision was to build a global air‑transport network where riders could book an “air taxi” through an app, similar to how the company currently handles ground rides.

The Technology That Makes It Possible

The key breakthrough that has turned the idea of personal flight from pipe dream into test‑flight reality is electric propulsion. Traditional helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft use combustion engines, which limit their range and add weight from fuel tanks. Electric motors, on the other hand, offer high torque, lower weight per thrust unit, and zero emissions.

Most eVTOL designs are hybrids that combine vertical lift and forward thrust. For instance, Lilium’s ducted fans provide lift during takeoff and transition to forward thrust as the aircraft pitches forward. Volocopter’s many small rotors provide lift and are reconfigured via control algorithms to shift thrust direction smoothly. Joby’s design uses three wings with electric motors that rotate to provide vertical lift and then shift to provide forward propulsion.

Battery technology remains a bottleneck. Most companies rely on lithium‑ion packs that weigh 20–30 % of the aircraft’s maximum take‑off weight. The “fly‑by‑wire” control systems, often based on advanced software and redundant hardware, allow for precise maneuvering and safety checks that would be impossible with mechanical linkages alone.

Regulatory, Infrastructure, and Safety Hurdles

The article outlines several obstacles that these companies must overcome. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are still developing certification procedures for eVTOLs. One of the main concerns is how to ensure safety in densely populated urban environments. Regulators are exploring the concept of “urban air mobility corridors,” a network of designated flight paths that avoid critical infrastructure and densely built areas.

Ground infrastructure is another challenge. eVTOLs require vertiports—compact landing pads that can accommodate the aircraft’s size and allow for passenger boarding, battery swapping, and maintenance. Some companies, such as Lilium, propose modular vertiport designs that can be installed on rooftops or in parking garages. Others envision autonomous charging stations that recharge the aircraft during the flight.

Safety protocols differ depending on the aircraft’s size. The FAA has released a “remote pilot in the loop” guideline, allowing a licensed pilot to monitor flight and intervene if necessary. For smaller, fully autonomous vehicles, a robust fault‑tolerant system with multiple redundant sensors is mandatory.

Public perception also plays a role. Many people fear noise, potential accidents, and privacy concerns. The article notes that eVTOLs are typically quieter than helicopters, thanks to electric motors and rotor design that reduce noise. Nonetheless, companies are investing in community outreach to explain their safety measures and to demonstrate the benefits of reduced traffic congestion.

The Timeline for “Sky Cars”

While the article remains optimistic, it also emphasizes that widespread use is still a few years away. Lilium expects to commence commercial operations by 2026, whereas Volocopter may see a pilot program by 2025. Joby’s projected certification by the end of 2024 could bring the first commercial rides in the next 12–18 months. In the meantime, companies are focused on refining designs, reducing battery weight, and ensuring the safety of their prototypes.

In addition to corporate efforts, several public‑private partnerships are forming. Cities like Dubai and Singapore have announced initiatives to test eVTOL services in controlled environments. These pilot programs will be critical in demonstrating the viability of urban air mobility and in fine‑tuning regulations.

Looking Ahead

The article closes on an optimistic note: personal flying machines are no longer confined to concept art. With advances in electric propulsion, battery technology, and control systems, the vision of a personal air taxi is turning into an operational reality. While significant regulatory, infrastructural, and safety hurdles remain, the groundwork laid by companies like Lilium, Volocopter, Joby, and EHang indicates that the first “sky cars” could be taking off within the next decade. The future of personal travel may very well be airborne, redefining how we move from one place to another in an increasingly congested world.