Flying taxi start-up hires top car designer

A start-up aiming to get an electric flying taxi off the ground has hired designer Frank Stephenson whose work included the McLaren P1, the modern Mini, Ferrari, and the Fiat 500.

Lilium is developing a pilot-less lightweight aircraft with 36 electric jet engines to travel at up to 300km/h, with a range of 300km.

Founded in 2015 by four Munich Technical University students, the German firm has plans to demonstrate a fully functional vertical take-off electric jet by 2019, aiming to begin online booking of commuter flights by 2025, AAP

reports.

It is one of a number of companies, from Chinese car maker Geely to US ride-sharing firm Uber, looking to tap advances in drone technology, high-performance materials and automated driving to turn aerial driving into reality.

In New Zealand, Zephyr Airworks is developing an autonomous air taxi “Cora” with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) ability powered by 12 independent lift fans, and a single propeller for fixed wing flight.

It is capable of carrying two passengers up to 100km at a 150km/h top speed, and limited services could start within three to six years.

Stephenson will join Lilium in May to help develop a five-seat flying EV for an on-demand service.