Alauda Racing’s Airspeeder Mk3 is the world’s first flying eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff or landing) race car, and it successfully completed its first flight. This quadcopter-like creation is designed to compete against others in the EXA Series, which will consist of four teams competing across three events worldwide over locations inaccessible to traditional motorsport. To ensure things go smoothly, there will be a pre-season involving an internal drag-race style competition between two distinct ‘works teams’ drawn from within the company.
Despite being a race car, the Mk3 EXA will be piloted remotely by skilled women and men from a seat in a simulator environment that perfectly mimics the environment of a real-life cockpit scenario. Each Mk3 is presented to teams with the same exact specifications, which means the pilot skill as well as team strategy determines the winner. Physical tele-robotic avatars will reside in the actual cockpit and represent the frame of human pilots.
- UL 2272 certified for safety. Smart Battery Management System for reliability. IP54 waterproof protection.
- Sturdy & Powerful: Compact design, 28 lbs, 220 lbs max load. Dual 400W motors, 10 mph max speed, 13.7 miles per charge, 15° slope.
- Road Adaptive Design: 10.5" pneumatic tires for smooth ride. Knee control bar for precise steering, easy lifting. Age: 16-50. Height: 3.11-6.6".
Compared to other flying drones or flying taxis that are out there on the market, [the Mk3] might be the fastest. The aerodynamic design seems to be appropriately adapted for an air race,” said Dr Simona Mihaita, head of the Future Mobility Lab at the University of Technology, Sydney.
