Embraer Introduces eVTOL

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Embraer, though its EmbraerX “disruptive business subsidiary,” announced the eVTOL at today’s Uber Elevate Summit. The 10-motor electric VTOL concept promises urban mobility through vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and is ready for future autonomous flight.

“As a market accelerator committed to developing solutions to transform life’s experiences, we have been combining human-centered design thinking with our 50-year history of building and engineering expertise in a unique manner. These are the factors behind the technical progress and leading-edge innovations we are bringing to this new eVTOL concept,” said Antonio Campello, president & CEO, EmbraerX.

EmbraerX says, “This new aircraft concept results from a broad range of tests and simulations, aiming at operational optimization for the urban environment, considering high reliability, low operating costs, a lower noise footprint, fully electric powered and progressively autonomous.”

“Embraer’s team focused on the customer experience with their latest vehicle concept, using built-in redundant systems to achieve optimal safety, while also achieving low noise output with an eight rotor system, which enables span-wise lift. Our team looks forward to continued collaboration with the Embraer team to achieve a quiet, green, and safe, aerial ridesharing vehicle,” said Mark Moore, Engineering Director of Aviation, Uber. 

Beyond those broad concepts, the announcement came with little factual information such as anticipated speed, range or endurance, or likely time frame for adoption. The Embraer program joins several in the urban mobility landscape. The eVTOL would be part of EmbraerX’s Beacon, which is “designed to foster collaboration and synchronize aviation services companies and professionals in a streamlined and more agile way, to keep aircraft flying.”

Marc Cook
KITPLANES Editor in Chief Marc Cook has been in aviation journalism for more than 30 years. He is a 4000-hour instrument-rated, multi-engine pilot with experience in nearly 150 types. He’s completed two kit aircraft, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Sportsman 2+2, and currently flies a 2002 GlaStar.

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1 COMMENT

  1. “Disruptive business subsidiary”; “Market accelerator”; “transform life’s experiences”; “human centered design thinking”; “operational optimization”; “progressively autonomous”; and — ah, yes let us not forget — “green.” Can’t forget green!

    There must be a new branch of communication psychology totally dedicated to titillating the senses of aviation minded people, investors and the boards of aviation companies with phrases like that ? Or, maybe there’s a CEO performance report coming up soon?

    Sigh. Show me an operational vehicle, show me the flight test results, show me a video of the thing in operational revenue service AND making money and THEN use phrases like that. Until then, try “pie in the sky” idea. Mere words don’t mean anything to me.

    Say … looking at the thing from the side, it kinda looks like the Starship Enterprise, though … cool. Might be useful in the next James Bond movie?

    Sorry! It’s tough to be either serious or reverent when I read stuff like this. Does Embraer know that it took 25 years to perfect the V-22 Osprey and bring it to IOC?

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