German start-up looks to Singapore to launch electric helicopter ‘air taxi’ rides

Volocopter plans a launch in two to three years of its drone-like craft that resemble a small helicopter powered by 18 rotors

The Germany firm has raised €85 million (US$93 million) to date, the latest in a €50 million tranche led by Chinese car maker Geely earlier this year

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Volocopter plans a commercial launch in two to three years of its drone-like craft that resemble a small helicopter powered by 18 rotors. Photo: dpa

Published: 9:12am, 1 Oct 2019Updated: 10:10pm, 1 Oct 2019

German start-up Volocopter said Singapore is emerging as one of the most likely destinations for the commercial launch of its electric helicopters, where it hopes to offer short-hop flights for the price of a limousine ride.

The co-founder of the company, which is working with Singapore regulators to conduct a public test flight in coming months, said the city state, Dubai and Germany were the markets most open to its air taxis.

A number of firms are trying to bring so-called air taxis to mass market but a lack of regulation and infrastructure, and safety concerns have proved barriers.

Volocopter, which counts Daimler, Intel and Geely among its backers, is targeting a planned commercial roll-out in two to three years of its drone-like taxis that resemble a small helicopter powered by 18 rotors.

“For the commercial routes, we have two customers profiles: one is a business customer, so perhaps from the airport to the business centre, or for tourists flying from Marina Bay to Sentosa,” Alexander Zosel said.

Marina Bay is Singapore’s business district and Sentosa is its popular resort island.

Zosel said the start-up is looking for more financial partners in a funding round it plans to close in January 2020.