A couple of weeks after the Daimler-backed Volocopter was introduced to the automotive press at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the multicopter has taken to the skies above Dubai without a human on board.
Earlier this summer, Volocopter signed a deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to commence testing of an autonomous flying taxi service in the city. Last week, the unique transportation tool completed its maiden autonomous flight.
Volocopter has been working on the vehicle for a number of years and in April 2016, it successfully completed its first maiden crewed flight as a prototype. Since then, the company has refined the 18-rotor design and dubbed it the 2X.
The full extent of Daimler’s investment in the flying taxi firm isn’t known but it has been confirmed Volocopter was one recipient of a $29.4 million investment Daimler made in a range of companies.