The Present and Future of Passenger Drones
It’s a rare baby boomer, member of Generation X, or millennial who
hasn’t day dreamed of a utopian future in which we zip through the air
over a futuristic metropolis, finally docking in our smart home, or
hovering pod, in a flying car. Science fiction has been promising us
flying cars virtually since science fiction has existed. That fictional
dream is actually becoming increasingly representative of reality with
the introduction of passenger drones.
Also known as “people-moving” and “people-carrying” drones (or “gyrocopters”), passenger drones, employing traditional but scaled-up drone propellers and motors, have already completed hundreds of test flights and have carried people. So, what are the possible applications of passenger drones and how close are they to becoming a reality the average person (or, as it looks right now, person with an above-average amount of money) can take advantage of?
The Future of Passenger Transport?
There are some obvious hurdles that need to be overcome before automated flying taxi rides are a common feature of urban life. In the United States, there are a number of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that still need to be nailed down. The FAA is still attempting to square the new normal of unmanned drones sharing airspace with more traditional aircraft, and passenger drones only add a layer of complexity. There’s also definitely a monetary limitation. At the moment, as mentioned earlier, only the very well-heeled could afford to practically use drone taxis.
The Science
Perhaps surprisingly, among the concerns brought up by the prospect of transporting people in a vehicle kept in the air by a drone motor, safety doesn’t seem to be at the top of the list. The passenger drones that are being tested have generally been demonstrated to fly safely in very rough weather, low visibility, at night, and the like. Employing input from sophisticated arrays of onboard sensors and incorporating satellite data, the drones are programmed both for safe flight and for a safe, immediate controlled descent if damaged. That scientific innovation could also be applied for scientific use. Possibilities include flying into the periphery of storms for readings or above volcanoes spewing gasses and updrafts that would make the use of more traditional aircraft impractical.
Military Use and Humanitarian Aid
The inevitable consequence of any technological innovation like this is military consideration. Already military organizations see potential for the use of passenger drones to evacuate wounded or stranded personnel; deliver supplies, food, and munitions; and even transport small contingents of elite special forces. Without the necessity for transporting great quantities of fuel, servicing finicky internal combustion engines and jet turbines, and providing airfields for launches and landings, drones represent a far more versatile air transport option.
The same benefits and capabilities could also be leveraged for humanitarian aid. If vulnerable soldiers can be evacuated from dangerous locations, transported over dangerous or impassable terrain, and have food and supplies delivered to them by large drones, so can people in disaster areas and the like. Basically, the future of passenger drones is limited only by imagination.
About XOAR
For over 40 years, XOAR has been recognized as both an industry leader and innovator in the UAV/drone, RC, and ultralight space. Their reputation has been built by the quality, precision, and efficiency of both their products and the manufacturing processes responsible for them. XOAR’s drone motors, RC propellers, drone rotors, and related accessories lever age their leading-edge technology, material of the highest quality, top manufacturing standards, and the most skillful engineering. Their expertise also includes propellers for ultra light aircraft, LSAs, industrial UAVs, commercial applications, civilian aviation, hexacopters, octocopters and the gear and accessories for them,and much, much more.
Take the performance of your UAV and drone profession or hobby to the greatest heights with XOAR, at Xoarintl.com
Also known as “people-moving” and “people-carrying” drones (or “gyrocopters”), passenger drones, employing traditional but scaled-up drone propellers and motors, have already completed hundreds of test flights and have carried people. So, what are the possible applications of passenger drones and how close are they to becoming a reality the average person (or, as it looks right now, person with an above-average amount of money) can take advantage of?
The Future of Passenger Transport?
There are some obvious hurdles that need to be overcome before automated flying taxi rides are a common feature of urban life. In the United States, there are a number of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that still need to be nailed down. The FAA is still attempting to square the new normal of unmanned drones sharing airspace with more traditional aircraft, and passenger drones only add a layer of complexity. There’s also definitely a monetary limitation. At the moment, as mentioned earlier, only the very well-heeled could afford to practically use drone taxis.
The Science
Perhaps surprisingly, among the concerns brought up by the prospect of transporting people in a vehicle kept in the air by a drone motor, safety doesn’t seem to be at the top of the list. The passenger drones that are being tested have generally been demonstrated to fly safely in very rough weather, low visibility, at night, and the like. Employing input from sophisticated arrays of onboard sensors and incorporating satellite data, the drones are programmed both for safe flight and for a safe, immediate controlled descent if damaged. That scientific innovation could also be applied for scientific use. Possibilities include flying into the periphery of storms for readings or above volcanoes spewing gasses and updrafts that would make the use of more traditional aircraft impractical.
Military Use and Humanitarian Aid
The inevitable consequence of any technological innovation like this is military consideration. Already military organizations see potential for the use of passenger drones to evacuate wounded or stranded personnel; deliver supplies, food, and munitions; and even transport small contingents of elite special forces. Without the necessity for transporting great quantities of fuel, servicing finicky internal combustion engines and jet turbines, and providing airfields for launches and landings, drones represent a far more versatile air transport option.
The same benefits and capabilities could also be leveraged for humanitarian aid. If vulnerable soldiers can be evacuated from dangerous locations, transported over dangerous or impassable terrain, and have food and supplies delivered to them by large drones, so can people in disaster areas and the like. Basically, the future of passenger drones is limited only by imagination.
About XOAR
For over 40 years, XOAR has been recognized as both an industry leader and innovator in the UAV/drone, RC, and ultralight space. Their reputation has been built by the quality, precision, and efficiency of both their products and the manufacturing processes responsible for them. XOAR’s drone motors, RC propellers, drone rotors, and related accessories lever age their leading-edge technology, material of the highest quality, top manufacturing standards, and the most skillful engineering. Their expertise also includes propellers for ultra light aircraft, LSAs, industrial UAVs, commercial applications, civilian aviation, hexacopters, octocopters and the gear and accessories for them,and much, much more.
Take the performance of your UAV and drone profession or hobby to the greatest heights with XOAR, at Xoarintl.com
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