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Successful tests of eVTOL with 620-mile range

Successful tests of eVTOL with 620-mile range

Plus: Scientists engineered a wood that gets stronger as it captures CO2.

Feb 25, 2023

It’s all going on down under.

Or more specifically, it’s all going up, as an Australian firm has finished its electric VTOL aircraft's first tethered test flight.

This is newsworthy because the new eVTOL is one of the most compact designs yet in this space, which is thanks to its box-wing type construction. It also travels further and uses less energy, which is always good news.

It is designed to carry up to five passengers and run on hydrogen fuel.

But before you marvel at that, cast your eyes over this video. It shows five of the biggest aircraft carriers in operation. And let me tell you, they’re pretty large.

Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE.

This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in.

Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers heard how a building management system could help build a sustainable future. Don't miss out — subscribe to IE+ today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Five of the biggest aircraft carriers in operation.

You could say they got carried away.

MUST READ

Australian firm successfully tests its eVTOL with a 620-mile range.

An Australian firm has finished its electric VTOL aircraft's first tethered test flight.

The EVTOL from AMSL Aero, which is christened Vertiia, aims to provide a safe aircraft that will ease the burden of traffic congestion on people's lives.

Vertiia is one of the newest VTOL industry entrants that has seen recent activity from players like Jetoptera and ARC Aerosystems.

The concept is significant because it is one of the most compact designs unveiled in this space, thanks to its box-wing type construction. The combination of its unique aerodynamic and structural design means it travels further using less energy.

Vertiia can carry up to five passengers and is designed from the ground up to run on hydrogen fuel as well. The firm is in the process of integrating a hydrogen fuel.

→ The firm claims it is the 'world's most efficient electric Vertical Take off and Landing aircraft, owing to its energy-efficient design. The eVTOL will be able to cruise at a maximum speed of 180mph (300km/h) and travel 155 miles (250km) powered purely by electric batteries before recharging.

INNOVATION

Scientists engineered a wood that gets stronger as it captures CO2.

Scientists at Rice University, Texas, have developed a special wood that's stronger than its natural counterpart and helps reduce carbon emissions by sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding air.

The researchers have multiaxially addressed the issues of engineered wood durability and carbon dioxide emissions by developing a special wood infused with a material with a strong affinity for CO2.

SCIENCE

Hybrid breed of invincible 'super pigs' are heading to the US.

Could a hybrid breed of “super pigs” be heading to the U.S.? The animals, consisting of a domestic pig and a wild boar, were crossbred in Canada to help farmed pigs grow larger and tolerate the cold temperatures of the freezing nation.

However, a drop in demand about 20 years ago led to the farmers setting the pigs free, and now, they are estimated to be heading to Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan.

CULTURE

Xbox offers an olive branch to Nintendo to end console wars.

If Microsoft's plan to buy Activision Blizzard is approved, the highly popular “Call of Duty” franchise could be coming to Nintendo one day very soon.

In an official announcement, the company says it has made promises that are now ostensibly legally binding and will require that future “Call of Duty” games be released on the same day as Xbox “with complete feature and content parity.”

The last "Call of Duty" game to be released on a Nintendo console was “Call of Duty: Ghosts” on the Wii U, which was released in 2013 and featured motion controls for the Wii Remote.

MAIL & MUSINGS

Australian firm successfully tests its eVTOL with a 620-mile range.

How long do you think it will be before we see eVTOL’s being used for public transport?

5-10 years

Maybe in our lifetime

We won’t

I am unsure either way

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Yesterday, we asked you what you think is the biggest challenge facing the robotics industry, and you were divided. 39 percent said privacy and security risks, 22 percent said materials and manufacturing, while 26 percent said something else entirely.

39%

Privacy and security risks

26%

Something else entirely

22%

Materials and manufacturing

13%

Mapping environments

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“An eVTOL is five times faster than a car. So think about how that would change things: we’ll see different pricing of real estate, for example. We’ll be able to live in the countryside and work in the city.”

Daniel Wiegand Co-Founder and CEO, Lilium.