SkyCab

SkyCab
Braunwagner
Aachen, Germany
www.skycab.net 
www.braunwagner.de

Founded in 1999, Braunwagner is a design agency, their services including interior design, communication, digital, media, exhibit, product, mobility design and design consulting. In July 2019, the company started the project outline to make an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air-taxi for an inter-European urban air mobility (UAM) between the areas of Maas, the Rhine and the Ruhr. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (Germany) in the 2nd project stage with €2.6 million and the prototype is expected to be built by 2022.

The official kick-off for the three-year project took place on February 27, 2020. The company is tasked with designing the aircraft and brand image, as well as creating flight routes and usage scenarios for the air-taxi system. They are similarly responsible for encouraging the development of safety and comfort standards similar to that of the automotive industry, and determining the final potential of an air taxi service in the German North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) region. The project is expected to be completed by 2023.

Other partners of the project include the Aachen University of Applied Sciences, the Department of Economics, Science and Europe of the City of Aachen, FH Aachen, Braunwagner GmbH, OECC Concepts & Consulting GmbH, MOQO Digital Solutions GmbH, RLE IN-TERNATIONAL GmbH, FEV Vehicle GmbH, Flughafengesellschaft Mönchengladbach GmbH, Rheinland Air Service, City of Mönchengladbach, Nahverkehr Rheinland and FEV Consulting.

Some of the key design considerations for the aircraft are safety, comfort, efficiency, feasibility, energy efficiency, social acceptance, affordability and integration into existing transportation infrastructure. For example, airports that have lost revenue during the Coronavirus pandemic (2020) may consider the adoption of UAM aircraft as a means of financial recovery. 

Braunwagner expects the SkyCab to be applied for operations beyond air taxi service including police work, firefighting, transportation of medical goods and more. 

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: eVTOL aircraft
• Piloting: Unknown
• Capacity: 4 passengers 
• Aircraft breadth: 12 m ( 39.4 ft)
• Aircraft length: 10.1 m (33.1 ft)
• Aircraft height: 2.95 m (9.7 ft)
• Cruise speed: ~240 km/h (~149 mph)
• Range: 135 km (83 miles)
• Maximum takeoff mass: 3000 kg (6613 lb)
• Maximum payload: 400 kg  (800 lb)
• VTOL Propellers: 4 propellers
• Forward propellers: 2 rear pusher ducted propellers
• Electric Motors: 6 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Windows: Panoramic windows and doors design. Wrap around window with forward, left and right visibility, with a solid roof above for spectacular views for passengers
• Wings: High wing with twin booms for VTOL propellers 
• Tail: Twin boom which is fixed to the main high wing 
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear
• Safety Features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft. The VTOL propellers are above the wing and the two rear pusher propellers are protected by a cowling, making it safe for passengers entering and exiting the aircraft and for ground personnel. 

Resources:

• SkyCab website
• SkyCab II Statement of Project Goals 
• University of Aachen Automotive Engineering Laboratory website
• Braunwagner website    
• Braunwagner Facebook  
• Braunwagner YouTube Channel  
• Braunwagner Instagram 
• Braunwagner LinkedIn 
• Article: The SkyCab research project is developing an air taxi, Euregio Aktuell, Feb. 24, 2020
• Article: MGL goes ahead, WEMG, May 20, 2020
• Article: MGL: Investing against a deficit, Meine Woche, May 29, 2020