Looking at the FlyPt prototype is like opening a window to the future. It combines both terrestrial and aerial mobility in a modular and sustainable logic. It consists of a drone for air travel and an automobile for ground transportation, with a passenger cabin in between that can be connected to either the drone or the car.
Under the umbrella of AED, this mobilizing project brings together companies, universities, and research institutes, totaling twenty entities involved, with the motto “Mobilizing the national aeronautical industry for disruption in future urban air transport.” One thing is certain: “it doesn’t leave anyone indifferent,” says Inês Folhadela Furtado, responsible for the Advanced Air Mobility area at Ceiia, one of the project’s partners. During the AED Days, she had the opportunity to explain the principles and operation of FlyPt to the conference attendees, using a 1:4 scale model on display. “There is strong interest and significant investment in this area. So, people are not indifferent, either to the prototype or the idea,” she adds. “The feedback has been very positive!”
In this modular strategy, there are four possible modes: the drone, which operates autonomously (for example, to travel to the charging station); the skate, or base for ground travel, also autonomous; the skate with the cabin attached, used for horizontal mobility; the drone with the cabin attached, for vertical mobility. “FlyPt was born from the collective will of a group of companies aiming to develop capabilities and competencies for the future of horizontal and vertical mobility, as well as their integration,” says José Rui Marcelino, CEO of AlmaDesign, which is part of the consortium.
“To provoke public discussion”
Designed for urban environments, the vehicle’s development also required the refinement of technology related to the electrification of the aerial component, as well as the autonomous system, in what is a completely innovative solution. “There are two things that we are already achieving with this project,” says José Rui Marcelino: “all the involved parties – scientific system, universities, and companies – are acquiring skills in an area where there is a great ‘hype’ worldwide, while several innovations are being developed.” This includes innovations in the vehicle’s interior, drone autonomy, skate autonomy, and in terms of integrating all systems and their interaction with society.
The development of the aerial vehicle or drone is under the responsibility of Tekever, the company responsible for the project. Rui Santos, project manager for satellites and unmanned aerial systems, describes it as an “ambitious challenge,” particularly in terms of electrification and autonomy. “Our main objective in this case is to develop and test capabilities,” Rui Santos states.
For now, this is still a proof of concept and will not correspond to the final product. However, it represents the vision and lays the foundation for the technology and knowledge that will allow us to develop real products in the future. “Tekever, Ceiia, AlmaDesign… all of us are involved in other projects where we transfer the knowledge acquired with FlyPT,” says José Rui Marcelino. With this project we are paving the way and provoking public discussion in areas such as cargo transportation, vertiports for vertical take-offs, to name only the cases with more direct implications. The fact that the project involves testing and trials of equipment ultimately drives the need for legislation, for example. “Portugal must have a footprint in this area,” José Rui Marcelino asserts.
And for that, we must plant the seeds. As Tiago Jesus, also from Tekever, emphasizes, in these types of projects, everything that is developed, whether it’s technical aspects, integration, laws, or infrastructure, represents only a part of the impact. Besides the immediate results, it is essential to consider “all the needs that arise from the work done and that serve to identify future requirements. And this goes beyond just the technical aspects.”
The FlyPt project was funded by Portugal 2020 and the European Regional Development Fund, with a total investment of just over eight million euros over three years. Completed at the end of June, and considering the project’s results, José Rui Marcelino suggests that it is time to discuss what will be done next, not only in terms of a higher TRL (Technology Readiness Level) but also concerning the integration with the rest of the operation and infrastructure.
