Flying taxis of the future look like toys come to life

The Volocopter itself looks like a toy come to life. Instead of one giant rotor in the middle, it has more than a dozen smaller ones arrayed above its cab. — Photos: AFP

Flying taxis, once the purview of science-fiction films such as The Fifth Element, might soon be a staple of urban transport, as better batteries and innovative designs make it cheaper, cleaner, and quieter to travel short distances by air. Citigroup thinks sales of air taxis could reach US$5bil (RM20.92bil) a year by the end of the next decade.

Two companies came to Singapore this week to share their vision during the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress. UK-based Skyports Ltd built a model flying taxi station, while Germany’s Volocopter GmbH gave a demonstration flight of its electric vehicle.