As part of a test for a new manned race series, a pair of flying race cars were compared in the skies above Australia.
Two Alauda Aeronautics Mk3 Speeders traveled at a whopping speed of 96 mph as they raced down the drag strip, which measures 650ft.
Airspeeder organized the drag race, which was a test flight in the skies above Adelaide to show the potential of the EXA Series.
The series will start next year with the electronic Vertical Lift Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOL). However, the Mk4 must be launched before that can happen.
Airspeeder stated that EXA is extreme, close-knit racing that drives us towards piloted flying vehicle Grand Prix’s.
In a test for a new manned race series, a pair of flying race cars were compared in the skies above Australia.
Two Alauda Aeronautics Mk3 Speeders traveled at a whopping speed of 96 mph as they plowed down a drag strip that was 650ft long. Remote control enabled them to travel at a staggering 96 mph
The video shows crew and pilots standing at the start, with remote controls in hand, watching as dust plumes explode around the multicopters.
The 220lb flying cars are made from carbon fiber and can be seen going between take off and crossing the finish line in just seconds.
The current generation of Alauda flying cars requires a remote pilot. However, the next generation will have someone in control of the cockpit.
They can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 2.3 seconds. This is faster than the Bugatti Chriron and the Ariel Atom 500.
The company is hard at work building the Mk4 version its racer, which will first operate with human pilots. However, they must first create a force field’.
This would be done using LiDAR and other technologies. It would be completely virtual and used to signal to another flying vehicle that they are too close’.
It would surround and force the car to move while still allowing for close quarter motorsport action.
Airspeeder stated in a statement that ‘Our mission is to accelerate eVTOL advanced aircraft technology through intense sporting competition.
“This mobility revolution, supported by future tech, will transform urban air mobility and global logistics. It will also transform medical applications with a clean-air electric car (EV).
“Both the remotely piloted Mk3 program and the manned Airspeeder Mk4 flying car will provide a safe space from which key innovations around safety can take place.”
This image shows the Alauda Aerospace Mk3 in full profile. The fourth version will be capable of carrying a human pilot in its cockpit.
Airspeeder organised the drag race. It was a test of airspeeder’s ability to fly in the skies above Adelaide (Australia) to show off the potential for a new event called EXA Series.
These innovations will include refinements in noise and batteries that will be fed into a larger development of a new sector.
Analysts Morgan Stanley have predicted that the electronic vertical take-off and landing industry will be worth more than $1.5 trillion in 2050.
There will be an inaugural unmanned season, where elite pilots will take to the skies to race prop-to-prop while navigating electronically governed racetracks in the skies above some of the most visually arresting scenery in the world.
According to the firms, ‘Rapid hairpin turning manoeuvrability can be delivered using a multicopter arrangement,’ adding that this approach increases stability and electronic speed control systems enable pilots to take advantage of the potential of electric powertrains.
The pilot will be aboard the electronic Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL), vehicles when the series starts next year. However, that requires the launch Mk4
Airspeeder explained that EXA refers to extreme, close-knit racing, which drives us towards piloted flying-car Grand Prix’s.
The crew and video pilots can be seen standing at start line, with remote controls in hand, watching as dust plumes erupt from the multicopters.
The Mk4 copters will be used in the second race season in 2022. This will allow a pilot to take the controls for the first time.
While the race and the flying vehicle are thrilling, the firm states that the goal is accelerate the development of a “mobility revolution”.
“The next generation of sport plays the same role that the pioneers in Formula One played nearly a century ago in driving technical innovation and building public acceptance of a new mobility revolution.
“The eVTOL sector has the potential to transform urban aerial transport, logistics, and remote medical transport with a clean, zero-emissions aerial transport solution.