General Motors used its CES presser to show off a futuristic concept for an electric flying taxi.
The Cadillac Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicle represents the company’s first attempt in air mobility. The goal is to create an air taxi service that generates zero emissions. “We’re preparing for a world where advances in electrics and autonomous technology make personal air travel possible,” said Michael Simcoe, GM’s vice president of global design.
In a sense, the VTOL is also a giant self-driving drone. It’s been designed around four helicopter-like propellers, which can carry a single passenger at a speed up to 55 miles per hour.
The company hopes to one day use the vehicle to carry travelers across a city from rooftop to rooftop at dedicated VTOL ports, thus bypassing the car traffic below. The company didn’t reveal much else or give the project a launch date. But GM is targeting the vehicle for the luxury market.
“It’s a concept for a moment when time is of essence and convenience is everything,” Simcoe added. The company is also working on a VTOL air taxi with two seats.
The vehicle is part of GM’s larger vision to bring dozens of new electric vehicles to the market in the coming years. During its CES presentation, the company showed off another concept for a premium road-based taxi.
The Cadillac Personal Autonomous Vehicle nixes the driver’s seat, creating a larger space for passengers to sit. The self-driving systems can then ferry passengers to their desired destination while they sit back and relax.
The company describes the car as a “mobile living room” designed for max comfort. To do so, the car is fitted with an array of biometric sensors, which can measure your vital signs and then adjust the interior’s temperatures, humidity, lighting, and even aromatics for the most comfortable experience.
The cabin features can also be calibrated using voice controls and touch gestures inside. The company is currently showing pictures of the vehicles in GM’s virtual booth for CES.