AutoFlight’s Floating Platform for Air Taxis Could be a Game Changer

AutoFlight has introduced a game-changing solution: a floating platform for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. This is the world’s first dedicated landing location for eVTOL air taxis on rivers, lakes, and the open sea. Built with battery giant CATL, the platform works entirely on solar power and stored energy, with no emissions. Sick of gridlock roads and long airport wait times? There’s a new way to cross the water without ever seeing a fixed runway.

Development started with a simple problem, eVTOL manufacturers like AutoFlight faced a challenge: finding space for landings was tough, especially in coastal cities and building on land took years. So the team looked to water, the vast, underutilized expanse that covers most of the earth. The product floats, deploys in days not months and works seamlessly with AutoFlight’s own aircraft lineup. From the heavy industrial White Shark to the six seater Prosperity for passenger flights, every model fits. CATL’s high safety batteries power the whole chain from the planes to the platform, so everything works even in rough seas.

Floating on the surface the platform looks simple at first glance. A large deck with solar panels to collect sunlight and generate electricity and the main landing area for eVTOLs. Below that an energy storage device to store excess juice for quick recharging between flights. Passengers have a lounge area inside a small cabin before boarding, while technicians do diagnostics and flight planning. Communication equipment connects pilots to ground control in real time, while an onboard dispatch system crunches data to route planes efficiently. Deploy one unit for a single outpost or link several together for busier routes; either way the system scales to demand.

It starts with calm efficiency as an eVTOL descends over the lake, its rotors whirring as it touches down on the deck. Solar powered batteries recharge the plane’s cells in an hour, ready for the next flight. No fuel trucks pass by and no pollution in the air. Pilots or automated systems plot the course from the dispatch center, taking into account weather, traffic and cargo weight. The 2 ton CarryAll unit offloads pallets from offshore suppliers. Passenger flights follow suit, doors opening into the covered lounge for a smooth transition. The platform can also handle emergencies, such as dropping supply crates or life rafts during drills, as seen in the demo above China’s Dianshan Lake.

Urban commuters stand to benefit greatly from this move; imagine flying from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport to the Lujiazui business district in minutes, landing directly on the Huangpu River rather of driving around in circles looking for a parking spot. Long travel times are no longer an issue, which is a tremendous relief for bridges and subways while also helping to retain some green space. Places situated on bays and island chains will also benefit, as they have previously had to contend with vessels chugging by and roads weaving their way around the hills. eVTOLs just fly past all of those barriers, transporting people directly to docks or resorts. AutoFlight intends to produce high-frequency runs here, transforming what was once a daily slog into a fast hop that will leave all of those drivers stranded in traffic.

Offshore work also benefits greatly because oil rigs and windfarms far out in the ocean rely on helicopters that use fuel and operate on a schedule. Replace those with eVTOLs on a floating platform, and crews will arrive with the necessary parts and personnel 10 times faster. The White Shark variant can easily handle 2 tons of gear, and the solar panels keep costs to a minimal. Maintenance windows reduce, downtime decreases, and the overall operation becomes much cleaner. No more waiting for the weather to clear so those boats can even start off; the aircraft take off anytime you choose, rain or shine.
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