AgustaWestland's exotic single-passenger tiltrotor is powered by batteries and uses no hydraulic systems. Here's a look at the aircraft.
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.
AgustaWestland's Project Zero is an all-electric tiltrotor. The aviation company showed it off at the Paris Air Show.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
AgustaWestland's Project Zero takes off vertically like a helicopter then flies horizontally like an airplane. The propellers tilt to make it through the transition -- thus the term tiltrotor.
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Project Zero in flight
Project Zero is shown flying forward in this illustration.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
The rotors are mounted inside a black, circular frame that pivots within the Project Zero's wing.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
Project Zero, shown here at the Paris Air Show, is big enough for a single passenger.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
The underside of Project Zero at the Paris Air Show.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
The rear of AgustaWestland's Project Zero, seen here at the Paris Air Show, has a decidedly avian appearance.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
Project Zero, appearing at the Paris Air Show, is a technology demonstration aircraft, so don't expect one in your garage soon.
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Project Zero at Paris Air Show
To keep things as light as possible, Project Zero uses a lot of carbon fiber.
