• 05 Nov 2018 05:30 PM
• 0

Bell Furthers Multiple eVTOL Efforts

Bell announced on Oct. 2 that it had signed teaming agreement with Garmin International, Inc. on the development and integration of the autonomous vehicle management computer (VMC) systems to support the company's eVTOL on-demand mobility aircraft, the Bell Air Taxi. As noted previously, Safran will provide the hybrid-electric propulsion system for Bell’s VTOL aircraft.

Bell president and CEO Mitch Snyder also echoed previous statements that the reduced noise signature of eVTOL aircraft could benefit militaries in covert missions.

Bell also announced a collaboration with Yamato Holdings in Tokyo for civilian aerial logistics: for the initial demonstration activities, Bell will lead the design, development and production of its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT), and Yamato will develop a customized detached pod, highlighting future ground-handling capabilities. The two companies hope to introduce their initial product into service in the mid-2020s.

Updates and press releases: 

• Bell and Moog Collaborate for On-Demand Mobility Flight Control Actuation System, Bell press release, Dec. 6, 2018.
• Bell and Electric Power Systems Sign Teaming Agreement For On-Demand Mobility Energy Storage Systems, Bell press release, Nov. 5, 2018.
• Redefining the Experience Of Flight With Bell [Podcast], CES Tech Talk sponsored by Bell, Uber and Safran, Oct. 29, 2018.
• Bell and Thales Collaborate On Flight Controls Of The Future, Bell press release, Oct. 23, 2018.
• Bell and Yamato Announce Strategic Collaboration To Transform On-Demand Delivery Service, Bell press release, Oct. 12, 2018.
• Bell and Garmin Sign Teaming Agreement For On-Demand Mobility Avionics Systems, Bell press release, Oct. 2, 2018.
• Bell and Safran Announce Shared Vision For On-Demand Mobility, Bell press release, June 19, 2018.