The world of electric aviation is once again making an impact with a new vehicle with high-tech attributes. While there is a lot of ground to cover, the market is going through an interesting boom.
A few weeks ago Joby Aviation, a company that develops all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, announced that it received a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the first aircraft built at its Pilot Production Line in Marina, California.
On this occasion, the “GAC GOVE” was unveiled, a vertical take-off and landing electric vehicle that has the particularity that it can be attached to a skateboard-like chassis, so that it also has the range to travel on the road like a conventional electric car.
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Features
According to a report by Auto Bild, the upper part is very similar to that of any air cab shown recently, with a drone format in which the six-rotor cockpit, following a format very similar to that of a drone.
The lower one is basically a wheeled platform that features autonomous technology, so when detached it can go on its own to a charging station in which to refill its battery.
GAC’s vision for the model is also peculiar, as it sees a business opportunity in selling only the eVTOL while the platform would be shared by different users when needed.
Doubts about Security
The drawback or question mark of the design is that the arms on which the rotors are attached do not fold up when they become a car, so they protrude from the perimeter of the vehicle and this could lead to crashes if other drivers are not attentive.
Although a priori the GAC GOVE may seem like a prototype, the intention is to take it to series production.
A roadmap has not been specified, but the company admits that bringing it to the general public will be a long-term project due to the costs and safety certifications required by the authorities.
