V-Space (official web site) is a startup that constructed Korea’s first UAM (Urban Air Transportation) destined to move individuals or payloads of as much as 120 Kg with their eVTOL all-electric car. As its title signifies, it’s a Vertical Take Off and Landing car utilizing a quad-copter design. It has a seat for one particular person and seems to be like a drone-like small helicopter.
eVTOL can fly over a 40-mile distance at a most velocity of 60 Mph, slightly bit beneath most U.S freeway’s velocity limits. Of course, the principle benefit right here is the shortage of visitors jams, particularly in an emergency.
However, the corporate has a sizzling new design referred to as V Speeder-X, which seems to be much more fashionable and aerodynamic. The payload capability is 230 Kg, however the velocity has elevated to 50 Mph as one of many use circumstances is to make use of the drone as an ambulance. Note that the flight time is comparatively brief, with about ~20 minutes.
When in comparison with opponents, just like the Volocopter, the V Speeder-X is far more compact and requires a vertiport (heliport for drones) that’s lower than half the dimensions, which implies it may land in additional locations, or that extra drones may very well be accommodated in the identical touchdown space.
But what’s much more fascinating is how price-competitive it seems to be on paper. At $0.09M ($90,000), the price is similar to that of a pleasant automotive. The subsequent competitor (EHang) prices ~$300k, whereas the costlier drones would possibly attain $10M, however their capability is greater.
V-Space even has the cheaper V Speeder (non-X) that may very well be bought for about $38,000 with a 120 Kg capability however a most velocity of 62 Mph.
The firm has very bold plans for the following two years. It plans to make use of the CES 2024 occasion to satisfy world companions and needs to carry a flight demonstration at a significant present within the first half of 2024. In the previous, V_Space was current at occasions just like the Dubai Airshow.
By mid-year, it might begin world enlargement by opening a world department. In 2025, manufacturing will begin to serve world markets, and manufacturing and gross sales will kick off in precisely two years. We don’t have the newest income figures, however for the 12 months 2022, the corporate has generated $6M, in response to a consultant.
Beyond the flying car and controls design, V-Space claims its proprietary battery design brings necessary aggressive benefits similar to a excessive Wh/Kg energy density (greater than Tesla and Kona EVs). The energy output of 40 C-rate can be spectacular. Finally, V_Space says that its battery design makes it safer and that batteries gained’t explode even when uncovered to fireside. So far, the battery enterprise represents greater than 50% of the full revenues.
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