On July 3, 2024, at the Gavião Peixoto plant in Brazil, Eve (a subsidiary of Embraer) unveiled its full-scale prototype of a flying taxi, marking a significant advancement in urban air mobility for sustainability, as these vehicles are electric.
This prototype is part of Eve’s goal to obtain the necessary certification to begin commercial operations in 2026. The presentation showcased the design and technology behind the flying taxi, which could provide a sustainable solution for urban transportation.
Eve has focused its efforts on developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, powered by batteries designed to offer a fast, efficient, and eco-friendly means of transportation in congested urban areas.
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The ability to take off and land vertically allows flying taxis to operate in small spaces, such as rooftops or parking lots, which is crucial for their integration into the urban landscape.
Thus, the prototype presented in Gavião Peixoto represents years of research and development tangibly through its futuristic and aerodynamic design.
“This prototype is fully remote so we can test the aerodynamics, start flying, and then do what we call the transition flight from vertical to horizontal,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve, to Reuters.
“This is a cornerstone for learning and moving forward. Challenges exist. It’s not trivial. We are on the edge of technology and aeronautics, and this testing phase is crucial,” he concluded.