SkyCab Part II

For non-experts: What is this about?
More and more people around the world are living and working in cities. Particularly in large metropolitan regions, the question of future-oriented and sustainable transport concepts arises. In the SkyCab research project, we are therefore developing an air taxi with an associated mobility concept for people living between the rivers Meuse, Rhine and Ruhr. The wishes and needs of the region's citizens are being taken into account and various utilisation scenarios in the areas of passenger transport, emergency medicine and logistics are being considered.

What motivated you to take part in this tender? Where did the idea come from?
With over 10 million inhabitants in an area of around 7,000 km², the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region is the most densely populated region in Europe. High levels of commuter traffic - including to the neighbouring Belgian and Dutch regions - as well as the structural change that is present everywhere here demand a new approach to mobility. With Aachen as a technology centre and the innovative developments that will be initiated in the Rhenish mining area in the coming years, the region is an ideal testing ground for the development of air-supported mobility.

What are the project's benefits for society and/or in terms of sustainability?
Air taxis can be a sustainable addition to future transport concepts. There are many possible applications for them. In order to be able to cover as many socially useful scenarios as possible in the future, the SkyCab has a modular design and can be built with differently designed transport elements while retaining the same drive element. Depending on the application, comfortable seats with tablet holders, an interior modelled on a rescue helicopter or simply a cargo space for logistics purposes can be found. The SkyCab can therefore be used for business trips, emergency medicine or logistics.

Who else is involved?
The SkyCab is being developed by a broad-based project consortium from the fields of aircraft and automotive engineering, design and experts in new forms of mobility. The consortium partners are: FH Aachen, Braunwagner GmbH, OECC Concepts & Consulting GmbH, MOQO Digital Solutions GmbH, RLE INTERNATIONAL GmbH, FEV Vehicle GmbH, Flughafengesellschaft Mönchengladbach GmbH and the City of Aachen with the faculties of Economics, Science, Digitalisation and Europe. FH Aachen is taking the scientific lead with three faculties and research expertise in aircraft construction, automotive engineering, energy storage systems, multi-media and communication as well as traffic area planning. The project is also supported by the associated partners Rheinland Air Service, the City of Mönchengladbach, Nahverkehr Rheinland and FEV Consulting.