Fancy flying to work? Want to soar into the sky in your own personal, fully autonomous, electric taxi? If so, the Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) concept might one day fulfil your dreams, Cadillac suggested. The clever vehicle’s purpose is to ensure that you get to your destination quickly, in supreme comfort, and without having to queue in traffic on congested roads.
VTOL is the manufacturer’s ‘first foray’ into aerial mobility, a spokesperson emphasised. ‘We are preparing for a world where advances in electric and autonomous technology make personal air travel possible. It is a concept designed for the moment when time is of the essence and convenience is everything’, the company said.
Consider an example. You work in a prestigious skyscraper in the city. One day, there is a crisis a few miles away that requires your attention – and time is of the essence. No problem. Why? Because VTOL is waiting at a helipad on the roof of your skyscraper. It therefore takes you to the ’port’ closest to your destination. There is no need to go anywhere near a congested road.
How flying taxi works
The VTOL has two rotas at its top, a luxurious cabin for one person in the middle, and two further rotas at its base. It looks futuristic. Furthermore, the colour scheme is silver and black and there is a lot of glass. The glass ensures you have a good view of the surroundings and has a dark tint to keep the sun out your eyes.
This flying taxi is propelled by electric motors that are powered by a 90 kWh battery. The top speed is 56 mph. Furthermore, it takes off vertically which ensures there is no need for a runway. It can therefore operate in confined spaces. VTOL is also light which minimises its power consumption and maximises the range per-charge.
Self driving limousine
The Cadillac Personal Autonomous Vehicle has been revealed, too. This concept is a luxurious limousine – but not as we know it. There is no driver, for example. Furthermore, the seats contain sensors that among other things monitor your temperature. If you are too cold, the vehicle might therefore increase the temperature in the cabin to make you more comfortable. Other strengths include:
seats on three sides so passengers can face each other
camera that can take a picture of everybody in the vehicle
control various systems via voice command and hand gesture
panoramic roof that lets light flood into the cabin.