Revolution in the Skies: How CycloTech's Drum-Shaped Fans Could Change eVTOLs Forever
by AutoExpert | 9 October, 2023
The race to dominate the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) market is heating up, and CycloTech is staking its claim with its newest innovation: the CruiseUp. Forget traditional propellers; the CruiseUp comes equipped with CycloRotors—drum-shaped fans that set this eVTOL apart from its competitors.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Standard eVTOLs use a series of propellers extending from a central axis. These can only direct thrust in a particular direction, requiring the vehicle to tilt its body to maneuver. The CruiseUp revolutionizes this concept with its CycloRotors, which look like drums with their sides cut out.
These rotate on an axis similar to a car's wheels, allowing thrust to be directed in any direction—up, down, forward, or backward—without requiring the vehicle to tilt. This innovation not only makes the CruiseUp extremely maneuverable but also offers a remarkably stable and comfortable ride, according to CycloTech.
Technical Specs
The CruiseUp is powered by electricity and can reach a distance of up to 62 miles (100 km) on a single charge, at speeds of up to 93 mph (150 km/h). This makes it suitable for travel within most major cities and their surrounding suburbs. Additionally, the CruiseUp's design incorporates six CycloRotors to build in redundancy, ensuring that the vehicle can still operate in case one of the rotors fails.
The Future is Now
CycloTech believes that eVTOLs will soon become a staple in urban transportation as air taxis and shuttles. Slightly larger than the average personal vehicle, the CruiseUp is being prepped for the "second wave" of eVTOL deployment, targeted at individual owners. "CycloRotors are the entry ticket to the mass market of sustainable aviation with an addressable market of millions of vehicles per year. We make your car fly," says Markus Steinke, CycloTech’s Chief Development Officer.
Price Point: A Mystery Yet to Be Unveiled
While CycloTech has been transparent about its vision and technical capabilities, it has remained tight-lipped about the CruiseUp's pricing. This leaves the industry and potential buyers in anticipation, as they wait to find out if this groundbreaking technology will also come with an affordable tag.
