World News Headlines September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling 0 Check out Bell’s flying taxi concept before its Smithsonian debut 0 0000 0 0 more now viewing Check out Bell’s flying taxi concept before its Smithsonian debut September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling now playing Transferring money from UAE abroad: what are my cheapest options September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling WIN With Nespresso This Mother’s Day September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling NBA Playoffs 2022: A Casual Fan's Guide to the Postseason September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling Best New Climbing Gear of 2022 September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling A Local Weekend Travel Guide to Austin, Texas September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling First Drive: 2022 Range Rover Ups the Luxury SUV Experience September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling Most Stylish Rain Jackets, Parkas, and Trench Coats for Men September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling EU eyes Russian oil import ban as Moscow strikes western Ukraine September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling World-class Clark Int’l Airport opens new 110,000 square-meter passenger terminal September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling PCG: Bodies of 5 children who drowned in Taal Lake found September 21, 2021 Under One Ceiling Check out Bell’s flying taxi concept before its Smithsonian debut We might not have flying cars overhead (yet), but the concept for one will be on public view later this year. The Bell Nexus autonomous air taxi will be displayed at the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C., starting this November. The five-seater concept aircraft is a eVTOL, an industry acronym that means “electric vertical take-off and landing,” although “electric” may be a slight stretch, since, like many eVTOLs, this one has a hybrid gas-electric propulsion system. In any case, you’ll be able to get a 360-degree view of this futuristic flying taxi at the Smithsonian’s “Futures” exhibit from November through July of 2022. The concept involves a self-flying control system from Garmin that doesn’t need a pilot onboard. An eVTOL takes elements from helicopters, planes, and hybrid cars. The propulsion system uses six electric propellers, made by aerospace company Safran, that tilt once the eVTOL is airborne. There are batteries, along with a gas-powered turbine that powers an onboard generator. So the propellers do run on electricity, but it’s gas-generated — something like a Toyota Prius. The Nexus is only a concept, conceived to inspire possible future commuter plans. Uber was working with Bell at one point on an idea for a flying taxi anyone could summon through the Uber app. It would fly at low altitudes of up to 2,000 feet, offering short-haul flights. There were plans for skyports in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Melbourne, Australia. The Nexus was first displayed at the CES electronics showcase in 2019, providing a glimpse at a possible configuration for an Uber air taxi. In 2020 Uber sold its flying car division to Joby Aviation, but says it plans to partner with them sometime in the future to provide eventual flying Ubers. It’ll still be a few years until Joby, or any company, takes to the skies in an eVTOL with passengers onboard. For now we can just gawk at the intimidating craft from ground level. Flying above cities. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. Take in the concept craft from all angles. Frontside viewing. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. Here’s the Nexus from the side. Side-eye the eVTOL. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. And from behind. At the Smithsonian exhibit you’ll be able to see all angles of the Nexus. A look from behind. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. A look at the five seats inside the craft. While a pilot can control the eVTOL, it’s also capable of autonomous flight. An inside look at the five seats inside the craft. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. Wheels up. Here’s the eVTOL in motion with its rotors spinning. Wheels up. Credit: BELL TEXTRON INC. Related Related posts: Bill Pullman invokes ‘Independence Day’ in a PSA for responsible mask-wearing tags: RSS Feed World News 0000 0 0 previous Government strikes deal to restart CO2 production next Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand bring Shakespeare to life in chilling 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' trailer
