Rolls-Royce technology will be used to power a drone-like ‘flying taxi’ that is being developed in Bristol, the engineering giant has confirmed.
The company’s ground-breaking tech is set to power the so-called Urban Air Mobility (UAM) aircraft - an all-electric flying vehicle being built by aerospace manufacturer Vertical Aerospace.
An electrical power system developed by Rolls-Royce will be integrated into the piloted vehicle, which its creators say will be able to carry up to four passengers for 120 miles at speeds of more than 200mph.
Rolls-Royce will design the system architecture of the whole electrical propulsion system - the electric power system for Vertical Aerospace’s aircraft.
The deal marks Rolls-Royce Electrical’s first commercial deal in the UAM market, the company said.
The news comes just days after Rolls-Royce announced the fastest all-electric plane is a matter of weeks from taking to the air for the first time.
Rob Watson, director of Rolls-Royce Electrical, said: “This exciting opportunity demonstrates our ambitions to be a leading supplier of sustainable complete power systems for the new Urban Air Mobility market which has the potential to transform the way that people and freight move from city to city.”
Around 150 Rolls-Royce engineers based in countries including Hungary, Germany, the US and Ƶ will work with the Vertical Aerospace team on developing the aircraft.
Vertical Aerospace was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of green energy giant Ovo.
Last year, the company unveiled its designs for what it said would be the world's first certified all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
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The manufacturer has already flown multiple full-scale eVTOL prototypes and the build of VA-X4 will begin in 2021, with assembly taking place in the Ƶ and the first flight expected to take place later this year.
Michael Cervenka, chief executive of Vertical Aerospace added: “This collaboration builds on our existing partnerships and Vertical is well-positioned to develop the world’s leading eVTOL aircraft, certified to the highest CAA and EASA safety standards being set globally.”
Rolls-Royce also recently announced a partnership with Tecnam and major worldwide aviation players for the development of the P-Volt - an all-electric, twin-electric motor, short and medium-range passenger aircraft powered by renewable energy.
