AirSpaceX has used the North American International
Auto Show to unveil a scale model of its upcoming vertical take-off and landing
aircraft called the MOBi-ONE. Designed and built by the Detroit Aircraft
Corporation, the MOBi-ONE is billed as an electric and autonomous flying
vehicle which can take-off and land like a helicopter but fly like a plane.
The MOBi-ONE is designed to transport passengers and
cargo between airports and urban centers which are within 96 km of
each other. The aircraft will reportedly be able to hit speeds of up to 402 km/h and carry up to four passengers as well as 100 kg of
cargo.
AirspaceX also suggests the MOBi-ONE will have three
different modules including ones for flight, payload, and ground
transportation. That latter module could be used to transform the model into a
flying car but little is known about it.
In a statement, Detroit Aircraft and AirSpaceX
founder Jon Rimanelli said "MOBi-ONE will offer clean, quiet, and connected
on-demand air mobility to the mass traveling public at an affordable
price." He says this is possible because the company will mass produce the
model using "lean automotive design and mass production techniques."
If everything goes according to plan, the
company will deploy 2,500 aircraft in the nation's 50 largest cities by 2026.
