While the first autonomous vehicles are gradually being deployed in major cities, Airbus and Italdesign are working on the next stage of mobility, that of the "autonomous vehicle". third dimension ". The two partners presented their vision of the vehicle of the future at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show. The concept, called Pop.Up, takes the form of a capsule that can be connected to a land module or another air module. It can even be integrated with other means of transport, according to the project managers, who mention trains and hyperloops in particular. The capsule-shaped vehicle can accommodate two passengers. Its carbon fibre structure measures 2.6 metres long, 1.4 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. This self-piloting, all-electric basic cell is combined with an artificial intelligence platform designed to manage the complexity of journeys, while an "interface module" interacts with passengers. " The Pop.Up vehicle combines the flexibility of a small two-seater land vehicle with the freedom and speed of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL), bringing together the automotive and aeronautical sectors. "In the event of a traffic jam, the Pop.Up capsule would disconnect from its land module and pair up with an air module propelled by eight counter-rotating rotors. In the event of a traffic jam, the Pop.Up capsule would disconnect from its terrestrial module, coupling up with an aerial module propelled by eight counter-rotating rotors.
Airbus and Italdesign are already imagining, in all "simplicity", the widespread use of this taxi of the future: " Pop.Up's modus operandi is simple: passengers plan their journey and book their trip via a user-friendly application. The system automatically suggests the best transport solution - based on the user's knowledge, timetables, traffic congestion, costs, car-sharing requests, etc. - linking the air or land module, or other means of transport, to the passenger's capsule. - linking the air or ground module, or other means of transport, to the passenger's capsule according to their preferences and needs ".
Mathias Thomsen, Executive Vice President for Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, highlights the project's advantages: " Adding the third dimension to seamless multi-modal transport networks will undoubtedly improve the way we live and the way we get from A to B. Successfully designing and implementing solutions that will work both in the air and on the ground requires joined-up thinking from the aeronautical and automotive sectors, as well as collaboration with local government bodies responsible for infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Italdesign, with its long and proven experience in designing exceptional vehicles, is a great partner for Airbus in this unique concept project. ".
