![]() The volocopter is a zero-emission concept of a safer helicopter developed in Germany [Credit: E-volo] The EU-supported concept of a safer, simpler and cleaner helicopter has secured funding via a crowd-funding website in less than three hours, soon after demonstrating the technology in flight.crowdfunding marketing The Volocopter aircraft, developed by a private German
company E-volo, has raised about €1.2m (£1m), surpassing the €500,000
target in just two and a half hours after the campaign’s launch, enough
to proceed from a prototype to production.crowdfunding advertising Compared with conventional helicopters, the volocopter produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. The vehicle’s safety is increased as it is propelled by 18 electrically driven rotors instead of one combustion engine. The maiden flight and first test flights were conducted in the dm-arena in Karlsruhe with a prototype of the 2-person VC200. “There are already numerous requests for the Volocopter from around the world,“ said E-volo’s managing director Alexander Zosel.indiegogo marketing The team has been working closely with Stuttgart University, performing computer simulations to tune the concept. The test flights have confirmed the expectation the volocopter would be considerably quieter than conventional helicopters.
“Such vibrations are a large problem for normal helicopters,“ stated E-volo managing director Stephan Wolf. “These vibrations, together with the deafening noise, usually lead to much discomfort on passenger flights in helicopters.“ The Volocopter is partially funded through the European climate innovation initiative Climate-KIC.kickstarter project Posted from: http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2013/dec/volocopter.cfm |