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Bell Nexus giant drone "air taxi" - WYRI
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:08 pm
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:08 pm
Basically a giant self-flying drone that 5 or 6 humans can ride in. Bell (the helicopter manufacturer) has a working prototype and plans to partner with Uber to have flying taxis in your town by 2023.
"The Nexus may look like an oversized drone, but it is so much more. The 6500-pound aircraft sports six, 8-foot articulated ducted fans, which enable the platform to lift off the ground vertically like a traditional helicopter before rotating 90 degrees, allowing for faster air travel much like a plane. Landing is as easy as rotating the fans back into their original position and setting down gently.
Best of all, the Nexus fits on a standard 40-foot by 40-foot landing pad, which means that cities won't have to radically change existing infrastructure to accommodate them. And since the Nexus utilizes a hybrid electric power system, it should be able to fly more quietly and more efficiently than conventional 'copters. As Bell reps told Engadget, the Nexus will carry four passengers and a pilot up to a range of 150 miles and be able to travel that distance in just one hour."
Engadget article with video of the Nexus prototype
Would you ride in it? I can't even fly my tiny drone with automatic leveling and altitude lock
15
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:09 pm to RazorBroncs
I certainly won't be t he first 
I'll let someone else have the kinks worked out on them.
I'll let someone else have the kinks worked out on them.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:09 pm to RazorBroncs
I’d ride it. Add some guns and rockets and it looks like something from Halo or Call of Duty.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:11 pm to LNCHBOX
quote:
I certainly won't be t he first I'll let someone else have the kinks worked out on them.
If they have parachutes or some similar crash prevention system, I'll definitely ride them.
But I'm probably too fat.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:12 pm to LNCHBOX
quote:
have the kinks worked out on them
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:12 pm to RazorBroncs
Just imagine how much the cost of that UberBell would be. Need a trained pilot ($$$) and somehow need to pay off that oversized drone ($$$).
The logistics of something like that would be awesome though. They'll have to create landing pad spaces in the city if there is enough of a demand.
The logistics of something like that would be awesome though. They'll have to create landing pad spaces in the city if there is enough of a demand.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:12 pm to STLDawg
I mean, it looks badass.
I guess my main hangup is with the whole "self-flying" part. Not a good sign that even in the prototype stage (aka the "dream" stage vs. reality) they know it still needs a pilot.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:13 pm to RazorBroncs
5 or so people with a 600#GW. Good luck with that.
Funny how much this has changed from the original spec goals. Ie supposed to have been fully electric.
Funny how much this has changed from the original spec goals. Ie supposed to have been fully electric.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:15 pm to RazorBroncs
quote:
nd since the Nexus utilizes a hybrid electric power system, it should be able to fly more quietly and more efficiently than conventional 'copters.
I don't see how hybrid electric power will make much of a difference in dB reduction seeing as the majority of noise generated by 'copters is from the rotors. The only drastic cut in sound would be from the lack of a tail rotor which creates the higher pitched frequencies.
This post was edited on 1/14/19 at 4:17 pm
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:16 pm to RazorBroncs
quote:
I guess my main hangup is with the whole "self-flying" part. Not a good sign that even in the prototype stage (aka the "dream" stage vs. reality) they know it still needs a pilot.
a $1300 drone can do this based on some parameters/crash sensors/gps. For example you can program a 'home' button to make the drone come home from anywhere it's flying(if you lose visual of it and get nervous for example).
They are VERY good systems even on these recreational drones.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:21 pm to idlewatcher
This is like when Pan Am had the helicopters you could take in to the city.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:23 pm to RazorBroncs
I want an affordable single-rider version of that so I can avoid Baton Rouge traffic.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:25 pm to RazorBroncs
i can see that working in big cities where you land on roof tops but no room for that thing to land on or around city roads
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:25 pm to Bard
quote:
I want an affordable single-rider version of that so I can avoid Baton Rouge traffic.
OT Ballers be salivating for these b/c 150k ain't shite to them
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:29 pm to RazorBroncs
quote:
I guess my main hangup is with the whole "self-flying" part. Not a good sign that even in the prototype stage (aka the "dream" stage vs. reality) they know it still needs a pilot.
I would bet almost anything the only reason they included a pilot was they already know the FAA is gonna be a pain in the arse
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:38 pm to mikelbr
quote:Not the first or the last time you’ll agree to this duty?
I'll definitely ride them.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:40 pm to STLDawg
quote:
I’d ride it. Add some guns and rockets and it looks like something from Halo or Call of Duty.
I'm sure the military will have them soon enough. Too big for naval application unless the fans fold up
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:40 pm to RazorBroncs
Is it quiet? Do you think my hot neighbor would notice me hovering over her property as she sun bathes?
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:43 pm to Loaner1231
quote:
seeing as the majority of noise generated by 'copters is from the rotors.
Have you ever heard an AW 189 or S-92 spool up???
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:45 pm to RazorBroncs
That's just enough range to get me to Tiger Stadium.
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