The Pop.Up Next flying prototype developed by Audi,
Airbus and Italdesign proved it can fly and drive for the first time. The prototype, which combines a
self-driving electric car with a passenger drone, performed its first public
test flight at the Drone Week in Amsterdam. The maiden test consisted of the
flight module accurately placing a passenger capsule on the ground module,
which then drove autonomously.
Mind you, the Pop.Up Next prototype is still a 1:4
scale model but the test proved the viability of the concept. Audi claims the
full-size version will arrive within the next decade, offering customers “a
convenient and efficient flying taxi service in large cities.” Without changing
vehicles, passengers will be able to fly and drive to their destination.
So what’s next for the flying taxi project? Well,
Audi is conducting tests in South America in cooperation with Airbus’
subsidiary Voom. When customers book helicopter flights in Mexico City or Sao
Paulo, an Audi vehicle is used to complete the journey to or from the landing
site. This helps the company understand the customers’ needs better, before
Pop.Up Next becomes operational.
Audi will begin testing its flying taxi soon at its
site in Ingolstadt as part of the Urban Air Mobility project.
