Urban Air Mobility (UAM) represents a transformative vision for the future of transportation, aiming to revolutionize how we move within cities. As urbanization accelerates and traffic congestion worsens, UAM offers a promising solution by leveraging the airspace above us to provide efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation options. This blog explores the concept, benefits, challenges, and prospects of UAM, highlighting its potential to reshape urban landscapes.
The Concept of Urban Air Mobility
Urban Air Mobility refers to the use of air vehicles for transporting passengers and cargo within urban environments. These vehicles, often envisioned as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, are designed to operate in the lower airspace, offering an alternative to traditional ground-based transportation. UAM encompasses a range of applications, including air taxis, cargo delivery, emergency services, and personal air vehicles.
The Driving Forces Behind UAM
Several factors are driving the development and adoption of UAM:
- Technological Advancements: Innovations in electric propulsion, battery technology, autonomous systems, and materials science have made the development of eVTOL aircraft feasible. These advancements are reducing the cost, noise, and environmental impact of urban air transportation.
- Urbanization: With more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas, cities are facing increasing challenges related to traffic congestion, pollution, and inefficient public transportation. UAM offers a solution by utilizing the underutilized airspace above cities.
- Environmental Concerns: Traditional transportation methods contribute significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. UAM, particularly with electric aircraft, presents a cleaner alternative, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
- Economic Opportunities: The UAM market is projected to grow substantially, offering new business opportunities and economic benefits. Companies and investors are keen to capitalize on the potential of this emerging industry.
Current Developments in Europe
Germany – The “Medifly” project in Hamburg (DE) aims to use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to transfer crucial medical samples or cargo in crowded airspace near two airports (Figure 2). In 2021, the Federal Ministry of Transport & Digitalization will support the “U-space Reallabor” project, which aims to establish an urban sky traffic management system and governance (U-space) prototype above the Hamburg harbor.
France – Since 2018, Toulouse Metropole (FR) has collaborated with the UAM ecosystem through ongoing communication and exchange. Toulouse Metropole participates in several initiatives and activities at worldwide, European, national, and local levels.
Poland – In GZM – Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (PL), the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) and UAM teams in 2018 resulted in a collaborative effort to build common definitions and interdependencies between the two. The GZM prioritizes multi-level coordination with key players in the UAV ecosystem, in addition to following the SUMP cycle for UAM deployment. GZM plays a crucial role in assessing the influence of UAM on societal acceptance by collaborating with key stakeholders including legislation, flight safety monitoring agencies, R&D, industry, and municipalities. GZM undertakes programs to discover needs in its local communities and participates in UAM service demos.
Greece – In September 2021, the EU’s H2020-funded project ‘Harmony’ conducted a medical drone demonstration in Trikala (GR). During the experiment, emergency medication was successfully delivered from Trikala to Leptokarya, a community in the municipality. The pharmacist removed the given product from the drone’s storage container before it took off again.
Other European cities with UAM initiatives include
Antwerp, Hasselt & Liege (MAHHL)
Oulu, Tampere
Aix-Marseille, Albi, Ile de France,
Ingolstadt, Region Northern Hesse
Bari, Turin
Amsterdam, Enschede,
Heerlen & Maastricht (MAHHL)
Porto
Ljublijana
Madrid, Malaga, Zaragosa
Norrkoping, Stockholm
Canton of Geneva
Durham, Oxfordshire County
Urban Air Mobility in North America
Boeing, Delta Air Lines, Stellantis, Toyota Motor North America, and United Airlines, as well as manufacturers Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, are all working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration to certify their aircraft.
UrbanLink Air Mobility LLC, a South Florida-based start-up, will revolutionize transportation as the first provider of all electric zero-emission advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions, and it is poised to make history as the first airline in the United States to incorporate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its fleet.
UrbanLink will spearhead the implementation and administration of AAM in South Florida before expanding to other cities, including Los Angeles, and playing a critical role in the smooth integration of AAM into the current transportation infrastructure. UrbanLink aims to begin the certification process, subject to necessary FAA and DOT clearances, in Q4 2025, with revenue service beginning in Summer 2026.
Helijet International Inc. of Canada has placed an order for Beta Technologies’ Alia-250 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, making it the first Canadian carrier to do so. Helijet, Beta’s first commercial customer in Canada, plans to be the first airline to provide eVTOL passenger and cargo flights in the nation.
UrbanX Air and Eve Air Mobility Partner to Bring the First Electric Air Commuter Flights to Miami. This is a critical first step in making electric air travel a reality for South Florida residents, with UrbanX and Eve working closely with local and state officials, as well as infrastructure, energy, and technology providers, to create the necessary framework for launching electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flights. The flights will assist commuters in traveling small distances, reducing traffic congestion and improving travel times, all while delivering a safer, quicker, and more environmentally friendly means of transportation.
Skyway Technologies and Berg Holdings to Launch Urban Air Mobility Vertiport Network in Northern California. Skyway and Berg Holdings’ vertiport network deployment plan includes key areas that will assist eVTOL industry expansion as well as easy and rapid passenger and freight transportation between Mountain View, Marin County, Sonoma County, San Jose, and destinations along the East Bay I-680 corridor. The second phase of development will include other complementing and required locations in the Bay Area and throughout Northern California. Each vertiport site is designed to support relevant UAM use cases specific to that location, to provide required levels of service, to integrate into existing legacy airspace traffic, and to be agnostic to eVTOL vehicles. It is intended to be FAA certified and in place to support anticipated certified commercial eVTOL flights in mid/late 2025.
United Airlines has bought $1 billion worth of Archer Aviation’s “Midnight” electric air taxi. The eVTOL is designed to perform short-haul flights between urban areas and airports, saving time in traffic. The first Midnight route in the United States is planned to launch in 2025, with United Airlines placing a $1 billion contract for up to 200 eVTOLs in February 2021. The historic route, announced in November, would operate as a hopper service between midtown Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. United has announced a second route between Chicago’s city core and O’Hare International Airport.
Blade plans to bring urban air mobility to Newport, Jersey City. The agreement will provide seamless air mobility between New Jersey, New York City area airports, and Manhattan. Blade will operate and renovate the Newport Helistop, providing new facilities and showcasing the collaborative partnerships needed to expand urban air mobility infrastructure and connectivity in the New York metropolitan area. Blade will launch a charter pilot program and plan for by-the-seat service between the Newport Helistop, nearby New York commercial airports, and select Manhattan sites, offering convenient transport alternatives for a developing population.
Urban Air Mobility in Middle East
Eve Air Mobility and Saudia Technic, the Middle East’s leading MRO service provider, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). This agreement lays the groundwork for determining the need for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the region. The partnership will focus on training for eVTOL MRO, examining the necessary infrastructure, and investigating processes for the prospective reassembly of Eve’s eVTOL aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
Urban Air Mobility in Asia
Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Transportation Solutions and Skyports, a prominent vertiport firm, have partnered to create urban air transportation solutions in Asia and the Americas. This cooperation seeks to create a new mobility ecosystem from the ground up, with an emphasis on vehicle-vertiport operations in early adopter areas.
Volocopter, a German business, is working closely with Singaporean stakeholders to develop urban air mobility. They intend to gain type certification and service entry for their VoloCity eVTOL aircraft within the next two to three years, with Singapore among the first cities to begin commercial operations.
A trio of Australian operators have placed preliminary orders for up to 90 eVTOL aircraft to be manufactured by Embraer’s Eve urban air mobility subsidiary, signaling a rising interest in urban air mobility in the region.
EHang, a Chinese startup, is a pioneer in UAM, having tested and operated its EH216 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in places such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou. EHang has teamed up with Heli-Eastern to launch UAM operations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
EHang’s 100 Air Mobility Routes Initiative seeks to create a framework for an air mobility operating system that includes route planning, flight operations, safety management, regulatory compliance, and sales and marketing responsibilities. The business has previously examined and tested seven places for AAV operations, most of which are in South China.
Airbus has also been researching UAM in China, with a goal of better connecting people by providing the safety, convenience, and joy of flight to city dwellers. The firm has been developing cutting-edge commercial UAM solutions and services, combining many important components.
Shenzhen has been highlighted as a crucial testbed for UAM, with the local administration actively encouraging the development of UAM infrastructure and services. EHang has begun running AAVs in Shenzhen, which is slated to become a UAM center in China.
Challenges and Advancements
Urban Air Mobility Challenges
Safety: Flight crew errors are a significant concern, as highlighted in the aviation industry’s evolution and safety management principles. States face challenges in performing aviation safety, including addressing aircraft accidents caused by human factors.
Regulatory Hurdles: Overcoming technological limitations and regulatory barriers is essential for urban air mobility to become a reality. This includes obtaining approvals for electric urban air transport and establishing standards for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Technological Limitations: Advancements in lithium-ion battery technology have brought electric urban air transport closer to reality, but there is still work to be done to overcome energy density and charging infrastructure challenges.
Urban Air Mobility Advancements
Recent Technology Advancements: Lightweight composite materials, noise reduction mechanisms, and improved communications systems are driving the development of new aerial vehicles.
Electric Propulsion: Leaps forward in power-to-weight ratios for batteries make electric flight feasible across short distances, enabling urban air mobility solutions.
Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Capabilities: Essential for operating in dense urban areas, VTOL capabilities eliminate the need for runways and enable quiet, efficient, and convenient transportation.
Multimodal Mobility Systems: Urban air mobility can positively contribute to a multimodal mobility system, helping build more livable cities by providing a safe, low-carbon, and convenient solution for urban transportation.
Conclusion
Urban Air Mobility holds the promise of transforming urban transportation, making it more efficient, sustainable, and accessible. While there are significant challenges to overcome, the potential benefits make it a compelling area for investment and development. Success will depend on continued technological advancements, robust regulatory frameworks, and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.