https://venturebeat.com/2019/05/29/alakai-technologies-unveils-skai-a-hydrogen-powered-air-taxi/
Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based Alaka’i Technologies, which was founded
in 2006, might not have high-profile backers or a coffer full of
capital, but that’s not to imply the air mobility startup hasn’t been architecting something potentially game-changing. At an event in Los
Angeles this week it unveiled Skai, an electric vertical takeoff and
landing vehicle it claims is the world’s first to be powered by
hydrogen fuel cells.
Skai, which was codesigned by BMW-owned global creative consultancy Designworks, eschews jet fuel for the aforementioned hydrogen. Its
fuel cells are 95% reusable (the remaining 5% are 99% recyclable), and
Alaka’i claims they enable the Skai to travel longer distances — over
three hours per tank, or around 300 miles — and carry a heavier
overall payload than the competition. Alaka’i says this makes it
ideally suited for emergency response, freight distribution, and
related sectors.
It’s worth noting that Metro Skyway, a subsidiary of Tel Aviv-based
Urban Aeronautics, announced in 2017 that it would build a
hydrogen-powered air taxi it hopes to get off the ground by 2022, but
that vehicle will initially run on jet fuel. Skai is using hydrogen
from day one.
Skai’s fuel cells power six electric motors with built-in redundancy
and lift a cabin with an airframe parachute that can fit four to five passengers. Skai hasn’t yet been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, but Alaka’i cofounder and CEO Brian Morrison expressed confidence that the company’s executive and engineering team — which
hails from NASA, Raytheon, Beech Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas, Hughes,
DayJet, SATSAir, Cirrus, Metro Aviation, and Delta Airlines — will
clear that hurdle in the near future.
“This remarkably impressive team have come together to build on our
collective experience to finally realize our singular, critical vision
to launch Skai and transform transportation,” said cofounder and CEO
Brian Morrison. “Skai offers practical, real-life solutions to
everything from relieving traffic congestion to delivering supplies
during natural disasters. Skai is set to offer affordable, realistic applications in the commercial, private, freight, and personal air
mobility markets.”
Experts predict that air taxis will begin ferrying customers in
earnest within three years and that these taxis could start flying
autonomously or semi-autonomously as early as 2025. Analysts at Roland
Berger forecast 3,000 flying taxis will be in operation globally in
five years, a number they say will increase to 12,000 by 2030 and to
nearly 100,000 by 2050.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley projects the market for flying taxis will
reach $1.5 trillion by 2040, which is likely why there’s sustained
interest from the private sector.
Just last week, German startup Lilium Jet completed the first test of
its five-seater aircraft. Chinese electronics conglomerate Ehang
intends to build a fleet of passenger-carrying quadcopters in the next
few years. Google cofounder Larry Page’s Kittyhawk received backing
from the New Zealand government for its self-piloting, vertical
takeoff and landing (VTOL) air taxi. And Volocopter’s 18-propeller
passenger drone recently completed test flights over Dubai as it races
to beat ride-hailing giant Uber to the punch with the world’s first
drone taxi system.
And air taxis from AeroMobil, Vertical Aeorospace, Joby Aviation,
Airbus, Boeing, and Bell are in various stages of development, in
addition to over 100 such electric aircraft worldwide. Bosch expects
drone test flights to ramp up in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and
Singapore next year.
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https://www.alakai.com/
ALAKA'I TECHNOLOGIES
TRANSFORMING THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES.
THROUGH HYDROGEN POWERED MOBILITY.
Alaka’i Technologies is proud to announce the launch of Skai.
Skai.co
Alaka'i Technologies
86 South Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
contact@alakai.com
Press
for all press inquiries please contact:
press@alakai.com
-------------------
http://skai.co/
Fueled by Hydrogen.
Powered by Simplicity.
Skai is a radically simple air mobility system designed to go from A
to Anywhere. It eliminates complexity for an unparalleled level of
reliability and safety. It uses hydrogen fuel cells, to provide an
energy solution that’s truly clean from end to end.
Only simplicity can solve today’s most complex challenges, to create
practical transportation for all. A powerful solution that is SIMPLE,
SAFE and CLEAN.
Simplicity is the Solution.
We believe that simplicity is smart engineering. It's a deeply
rational process that leads to the best solutions. A good example is
Skai's advanced, simple design. It can be produced efficiently and in
large numbers, making Skai more affordable for everyone. Which makes
the benefits increase as well, reducing traffic and pollution, ...
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Simply. Better.
Simplicity is better transportation. It reduces gridlock and enhances
personal mobility. At its core, simplicity is safe, reliable,
efficient, and clean, based on rock-solid fault-tolerant design.
It's ease of use and comfort for everyday travel. Simplicity is a
flexible platform that supports multiple uses and needs minimal
infrastructure. And it's what makes Skai available to everyone.
Simplicity even makes it look cool.
Air Mobility for All.
Skai democratizes air transportation. It gives everyone the freedom to
go from A to Anywhere – anytime, safely and comfortably. Its simple
design not only makes it efficient to produce, it makes it easier to
use for passengers and pilots alike.
Minimizing the complexity of operation, and reducing the need for
costly regular maintenance. But just as importantly, it reduces the
stress of flying for all of us. A lot of effort went into making it
effortless.
Ready When You Are.
Skai is low impact. It requires minimal infra