Cadillac shuttle and copter hinted at transport development – DRIVE

The CES virtual show has received a number of entertaining virtual exhibits. For Cadillac, in its development based on the platform vice and GM’s overall strategy for the introduction of electric drive, such a look into the distant future was the unmanned Cadillac Personal Autonomous Vehicle shuttle and the Cadillac Vertical Take-Off And Landing single-seat vertical takeoff. So far, these are only design concepts that outline the general direction of transport development in large cities.

The company considers the shuttle not so much as a transport, but as a “space for communication of a group of friends or family.” Therefore, the description is mainly about communication, comfort, “light and aromatherapy”.

Cadillac’s drone capsule will delight the inhabitants by automatically adjusting the temperature, lighting and humidity inside to the biometric indicators of passengers. Entertainment functions, as usual, are activated by gestures and voice commands. The company does not provide any parameters of the power reserve or the features of the drive. But we must take into account that the technological base for such a model at GM has long been ready in the form of a shuttle. Cruise Origin.

The aircraft is seen by Cadillac as an addition to the ground shuttles. It should provide short-distance flights: from a rooftop or a parking lot with a helipad to another similar point within a few blocks.

The topic of flying taxis, including those made in the form of overgrown copters, that is, with vertical takeoff, is captivating more and more manufacturers. You can remember the company Terrafugia (owned by Geely), Porsche, Hyundai… Now the Cadillac company also spoke about its project. The four rotors of this electric capsule are powered by a 90 kWh battery. How long it is enough is unclear. But clearly should be enough for a few flights.

And in this virtual shot, Cadillac suddenly flies over Begovaya Street in Moscow.

This aircraft is piloted by electronics, so that the passenger can only choose the destination. The Americans say they are working on a concept for a similar two-seat vehicle. They also claim that such a technique is “a matter of the not so distant future.” Perhaps this is an overly optimistic view. Indeed, on the way to the introduction of such transport, there are problems not only of a technical nature, but also of a legal one (organization of traffic over the city, security problems, including people below, on the streets, certification and insurance).