"THOUSANDS" of FlyNow eCopters to Transport Visitors Around Riyadh Expo

Summary

Austrian startup FlyNow plans to open manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia to produce coaxial twin rotor helicopters for transporting visitors at the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh. These electric helipods, with a range of 50 km and a top speed of 130 km/h, are designed to be quiet and fly under existing regulations. The project faces challenges in scaling production and managing autonomous fleets within a confined Expo airspace, but Saudi Arabia's investment reflects its competition with Dubai for technological innovation leadership.

Takeaways

• 🚁 Austrian startup FlyNow is establishing manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia to produce coaxial twin rotor helicopters.
• 🌍 These helicopters are intended to transport visitors at the World Expo in Riyadh, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to adopting new technologies.
• 💸 Saudi Arabia and Dubai are in a competition to become the ultimate early adopter of cutting-edge technologies.
• 🏙️ Saudi Arabia is leading with ambitious projects like skyscrapers, Hyperloop, and a massive cuboid skyscraper.
• 🏎️ Dubai boasts of underwater cities, flying police motorcycles, a jet suit grand prix, and the world's tallest building.
• 📢 The CEO of Saudi Arabia Holding Company announced the use of electric helicopters at the 2030 International Expo.
• 🔋 The helicopters, called helipods, are relatively low cost with a battery range of up to 50 km.
• 🚫 The design of the helipods is simple, with a counter-rotating pair of top rotors, eliminating the need for a tail rotor.
• 🔇 The noise level of the helicopters is under 55 decibels at 150 meters, quieter than a normal conversation.
• ⏱️ FlyNow has six years to scale up production before the Expo, but as of February, they were still in the proof of concept phase.
• 🤖 Autonomous fleet control will be necessary for managing thousands of helicopters in a limited airspace.

Q & A

What is the purpose of FlyNow opening manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia?

FlyNow is opening manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia to produce thousands of its coaxial twin rotor helicopters, which will transport visitors at the upcoming World Expo in Riyadh.

How does Saudi Arabia compare to Dubai in terms of adopting cutting-edge technologies?

Both Saudi Arabia and Dubai are neck and neck in their race to be the ultimate early adopters of bleeding-edge technologies, with both regions ready to invest heavily in futuristic ideas.

What are some of the futuristic projects that Saudi Arabia is currently working on?

Saudi Arabia is working on projects such as towering hundred-mile-long skyscrapers, Hyperloop projects, a cliff-hanging soccer stadium, and a colossal cuboid skyscraper that could fit 20 Empire State Buildings indoors.

What is the significance of the announcement by Saudi Arabia Holding Company's CEO, Mohammed AlQahtani?

The announcement signifies that Saudi Arabia will be using a fleet of miniature electric helicopters to ferry visitors around the International Expo site in Riyadh in 2030.

What are the specifications of the FlyNow electric helicopters?

The helicopters are relatively low cost, with single and double-seat options, a battery range up to 50 km, and a top speed of 130 km/h. The two-seat version can lift up to 200 kg.

How does the design of the FlyNow helicopters differ from traditional helicopters?

The FlyNow helicopters have a coaxially stacked pair of top rotors that counter-rotate to balance each other's torque reactions, removing the need for a traditional tail rotor.

What are the noise levels of the FlyNow helicopters at 150 meters altitude?

The noise signature of the FlyNow helicopters is under 55 decibels at 150 meters altitude, which is quieter than a quiet conversation.

How does the FlyNow helicopter's design allow it to fly under existing regulations?

The layout of the FlyNow helicopter allows it to fly as a helicopter under existing regulations without requiring special regulatory attention like some other multirotor eVTOL aircraft might.

What challenges does FlyNow face before the high volume production for the Expo in 2030?

FlyNow faces challenges such as transitioning from ground tests to actual flight, establishing a Saudi regional office and assembly line, and developing autonomous fleet control systems for thousands of helicopters.

What are the ground footprint requirements for the FlyNow helicopters?

The ground footprint for each helicopter includes at least the size of a car parking spot for charging, plus a decent exclusion area for takeoff and landing.

How does the city of Riyadh's geography impact the feasibility of the FlyNow helicopter project?

Riyadh's relatively small size and the abundance of red sand desert plains provide ample space for the project, although practical considerations such as charger installations and ground space for thousands of helicopters will be crucial.