German Startup E-volo wants to build an 18-rotor personal helicopter by 2015. Here's a look at its smaller VC25 prototype, designed to can carry 25 kilograms.
Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
The E-volo VC25 struts are made from lightweight carbon fiber tubing. The fuselage will house a control computer and battery. At the rear is a 19th propeller for forward propulsion.
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E-volo VC25 multicopter prototype
E-volo uses much larger rotors than those in buzzing quadcopters that are all the rage in flight research circles these days.
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E-volo VC25 multicopter prototype
E-volo's VC25 at CeBIT.
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E-volo VC25 multicopter prototype
The E-volo VC25 fuselage is carefully machined for minimum weight.
