Singapore’s Skies Get a High‑Five from Volocopter
Remember those vintage cartoon episodes where the Jetsons zipped around in airborne scooters? Singapore’s about to bring that sci‑fiction vibe back to life. The German start‑up Volocopter is setting the stage for a fleet of electric vertical‑take‑off vehicles (eVTOL) that could, in a few years, make the “not‑to‑be‑missed” city‑flight a reality.
City‑Ready Tests in the 2062 City
- Target: two passengers for ~30 km trips across the island.
- Design: drone‑based helicopter that can lift a 160 kg payload—think small cargo and future “air‑taxi” commuters.
- Timing: Planned in the second half of 2019, with a grand showcase in Singapore’s urban airspace.
Why Singapore? Because It’s the Future City They Need
The Ministry of Transport, Economic Development Board and CAAS are backing the venture. According to Ho Yuen Sang, the CAAS chief, air taxis could be the secret sauce to solving city congestion and boosting logistics. “This is the kind of tech that could flip the entire aviation game,” he said.
Volocopter will jump straight into Singapore’s testing ecosystem, partnering with local agencies to pick the perfect sites. Whether the vehicle will be fly‑by‑hand, remote‑controlled, or self‑driving is a key decision the company plans to hash out with CAAS.
Beyond the Test – A Global Roadmap
- Volocopter is busy building a design and engineering hub in Singapore to support worldwide expansion.
- While they haven’t opened a commercial flight yet, they’re eyeing user‑friendly commercial certification within the next 3–5 years.
- The company is chatting with developers and mobility firms to establish landing pads and station infrastructure.
- In the past, they trialed a fully autonomous flight in Dubai, showing the system’s potential beyond just piloted missions.
Take‑away
Volocopter’s ambitious journey in Singapore marks a bold step towards redefining how we navigate city skies. With local government backing, the promising test flights could open the door to a new era of urban mobility—if it goes well, who knows? Perhaps soon you’ll be hopping in a 3‑person, 160 kg‑capable future taxi, swooping over the city’s glittering skyline.
