video Finance Videos
Multi-rotor aircraft a "revolution in aviation"
Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:41
Nov. 21 - A prototype electric 'volocopter' has completed its first public test-flight in Germany. Inventors of the VC-200 say their emissions-free aircraft will one day become as ubiquitous as cars on the road. Jim Drury reports.
▲ Hide Transcript
▶ View Transcript
According to its designers, the VC-200 prototype volocopter could be the future of commuter transportation. Unlike a conventional helicopter, the VC-200 runs on 18 electrically-powered rotors, each of which is controlled by onboard computers. Providing overall direction to the computer software is the pilot using a joystick. Alexander Zosel from developer E-volo, says he has high hopes for the craft which he says is clean, quiet and practical. SOUNDBITE (English) CO-INVENTOR OF VOLOCOPTER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF E-VOLO, ALEXANDER ZOSEL, SAYING: "The Volocopter is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, it's like a helicopter, it can fly like a helicopter......we believe that in thirty years, about that, just everybody can fly with it - like you have a car, you have a Volocopter." Zosel says the VC-200 is safer and simpler than a conventional helicopter. SOUNDBITE (English) CO-INVENTOR OF VOLOCOPTER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF E-VOLO, ALEXANDER ZOSEL, SAYING: "It's so safe because it's very easy to fly - and why is that so? Because the aircraft fly by himself (sic). The pilot is only saying 'I want to go there and there with the joystick', and the system do the work, and you can develop a really safe system". Instead of one combustion engine propelling it, the independently controlled rotors lift the volocopter into the air. It can fly for up to 20 minutes on battery power, with the machine's computer systems taking care of speed, direction and control according to the pilot's instructions. E-volo say it should be capable of reaching a speed of 100 kilometres per hour and an altitude of 6,500 feet. Further tests with on-board volunteers are planned before the two-seater goes on the market, but E-volo is confident it will provide an attractive, emission free alternative in future transportation.
Press CTRL+C (Windows), CMD+C (Mac), or long-press the URL below on your mobile device to copy the code
Multi-rotor aircraft a "revolution in aviation"
Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:41
Top News »
5:54pm GMT - (1:03)
5:06pm GMT - (1:45)
4:26pm GMT - (1:59)
3:49pm GMT - (0:59)
7:19am GMT - (1:56)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:43)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:59)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:40)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (2:10)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:27)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:56)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:15)
Editors' Picks »
3:58pm GMT - (1:55)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (2:50)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (2:00)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:24)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:58)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:40)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:40)
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (1:48)
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (1:38)
Business »
6:05pm GMT - (1:56)
6:05pm GMT - (1:56)
6:05pm GMT - (1:43)
6:05pm GMT - (1:48)
5:49pm GMT - (4:04)
4:09pm GMT - (1:40)
4:00pm GMT - (1:48)
2:17pm GMT - (1:40)
12:28pm GMT - (1:20)
10:53am GMT - (1:46)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:03)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:10)
Featured Videos
Living dangerously, one foot at a time, in 'Free Solo'
Climber Alex Honnold's death-defying ascent of El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park is taking him to the Oscars, where a film about his feat will compete for the movie world's highest honour
The elusive black panther is spotted in Kenya
Images of a rare African black leopard - known as panthers - have been captured in Kenya, the first verifiable record of the animal for nearly 100 years
Meghan being harassed just like Diana - George Clooney
The media are harassing Meghan Markle just as they did Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash while being pursued by paparazzi, her friend George Clooney says
Palm oil's PR battle turns to satellite imagery
Companies including Nestle, Unilever, and Ferrero are increasing the use of satellite imagery programs to monitor their palm oil supply chains. Critics say it may boost a corporation's green credentials, but does little to stop mass deforestation
VR app brings South Africa's fossils to your phone
Excavation sites at the famous Cradle of Humankind can now be explored by visitors using a free mobile virtual reality app
Technology »
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (1:22)
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (1:39)
Mon, 11 Feb, 2019 - (1:32)
Fri, 08 Feb, 2019 - (2:05)
Thu, 07 Feb, 2019 - (1:38)
Wed, 06 Feb, 2019 - (1:27)
Tue, 05 Feb, 2019 - (1:37)
Tue, 05 Feb, 2019 - (1:43)
Mon, 04 Feb, 2019 - (2:03)
Mon, 04 Feb, 2019 - (1:12)
Entertainment »
12:18pm GMT - (2:20)
11:03am GMT - (2:04)
2:45am GMT - (2:00)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:42)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (2:19)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:23)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:47)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (0:52)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (0:50)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (0:46)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:40)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:23)
Sports And Leisure »
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:27)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:45)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:01)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:32)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (1:00)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (0:50)
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (1:19)
Mon, 11 Feb, 2019 - (1:25)
Mon, 11 Feb, 2019 - (1:20)
Mon, 11 Feb, 2019 - (0:43)
Oddly Enough »
7:18am GMT - (0:42)
12:41am GMT - (1:36)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:01)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (0:59)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:34)
Thu, 14 Feb, 2019 - (1:26)
Wed, 13 Feb, 2019 - (0:49)
Tue, 12 Feb, 2019 - (0:40)
Mon, 11 Feb, 2019 - (2:19)