出租车起飞待何时

Core Viewpoint - The UK has launched a six-month air traffic corridor project between Oxford and Cambridge to test the feasibility of electric air taxis, marking a significant step towards commercial air taxi operations [1] Group 1: Historical Context - The concept of flying cars has been envisioned since 1865, with notable references in literature and media [1] - Early attempts at flying cars, such as those by Glenn Curtiss in 1917, faced technological limitations, resulting in only short-distance flights [2] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The introduction of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft in 2007 by NASA marked a turning point for urban air mobility, allowing for short-distance air travel [2] - Volocopter, founded in 2007, has conducted over 2,000 test flights of its VoloCity eVTOL and is in the certification phase [3] Group 3: Industry Developments - Joby Aviation, a pioneer in the eVTOL space, received its air carrier certificate in 2022 and successfully completed a public airport flight [4] - Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOL also completed its first public flight test in May 2023 [4] Group 4: Market Potential - eVTOL air taxis can avoid ground traffic congestion, operate at cruising speeds of 150 to 250 km/h, and have lower operational costs compared to traditional helicopters [5][6] - The International Civil Aviation Organization has praised eVTOLs for their potential in green transportation and urban air mobility [6] Group 5: Investment and Partnerships - Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are investing heavily in eVTOL technology, with American Airlines investing $25 million in Vertical Aerospace [6] - Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air have also formed partnerships with Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, respectively, to promote air taxi services [7] Group 6: Regulatory Challenges - The industry faces significant regulatory hurdles, particularly long certification processes that can strain financial resources [7] - Germany's Volocopter has encountered funding difficulties due to delays in obtaining airworthiness certification [7] Group 7: Global Perspectives - China's Civil Aviation Administration has been recognized for its innovative regulatory approach, significantly reducing the certification timeline for eVTOLs [8] - Experts suggest that other countries should adopt similar regulatory frameworks to accelerate the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology [8]