Dubai begins testing an autonomous aerokar

That's where they really are not afraid of bold solutions to transportation problems, so it's in Dubai. In addition to the upcoming tests of the flying taxi and plans to build a supersonic network Hyperloop, the city will soon witness the tests of the 18-rotor electric aerocar Volocopter.

Volocopter began to develop in Germany in 2013. Since then, its creators have conducted hundreds of unmanned test flights and even one manned flight. But it seemed that it would take a long time before we see this aerokar in the real world. But Dubai has become interested in the project, where much attention has recently been paid to such developments.

Volocopter is a fully electric plane that can transport two passengers from point A to point B without a pilot.

The engine is powered by nine replaceable batteries, the aerokar takes off and lands vertically, can hang in the air if necessary, and is equipped with a proven safety system. It can fly about 30 minutes with a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

Dubai plans to use Volocopter as a stand-alone air taxi, and will begin trial operation in the fourth quarter of this year. By 2030, Dubai plans to carry 25 percent of all passenger traffic using autonomous vehicles.