In Austria, a futuristic flying car with electric propulsion called CycloRotor will be built.

The company plans to complete the construction of the demonstration version of BlackBird with the CycloRotor electric drive system by the end of this year. The inaugural flights of the aircraft are scheduled for early 2025. If the tests are successful, the designers will create a flying car based on the prototype. electric car CruiseUp.

What is known about the BlackBird prototype and its CycloRotor?

The Austrian aviation company CycloTech aims to demonstrate (test) a new flight propulsion system with CycloRotor electric drives.

According to the company’s engineers, the new engine is suitable for all flying cars, as the system can control the thrust vector in terms of strength and direction across a full 360-degree range.

The BlackBird prototype, measuring 4.9 meters in length, 2.3 meters in width, and 2 meters in height, will be equipped with six CycloRotor rotors. The device will have the capability of vertical takeoff and landing, parallel parking, and hovering. With a maximum takeoff weight of 340 kg, it will reach speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Thanks to a specific configuration of the cyclorotors, the device is expected to be quite maneuverable and, if necessary, able to hover in mid-air. The developers have promised potential passengers of the air electric vehicle that they can expect smooth journeys. Moreover, the engines will provide precise maneuvering and a comfortable flight even in challenging conditions.

CycloTech is rushing to release a demonstrator before the New Year.

It should be noted that since 2021, the company has conducted 800 test flights with a first-generation demonstrator. It was equipped with four CycloRotors and weighed 83 kilograms, the publication reported. New Atlas .

This year, CycloTech has raised over 20 million euros in investments for the construction of BlackBird. It is expected that the total amount will exceed 50 million euros by the end of the year.

So far, the company has not specified how many seats will be in the cabin and what range the battery will provide. Meanwhile, the future air vehicle CruiseUp is planned to have a two-seat configuration and a relatively short range of 100 km. Therefore, the device is likely to be closer to a personal car than to air taxi .

CycloTech is confident that the new model will boldly compete with the developments of other companies aiming to make flying cars a reality in the coming years.