A concept render of Embraer’s X eVOTL. Similar vehicles may soon be flying across Nairobi. Image sourced from Embraer. The East African country takes another step closer to Wakanda with this new item of Afrofuturist news.
Kenya Airways has signed an agreement with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to launch flying taxis in the capital city of Nairobi in a move aimed at spearheading this transport innovation in the market.
According to Business Daily , the vehicles are expected to cut travel time from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi’s city centre down to just six minutes.
Fahari Aviation Partners with Embraer
Embraer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya Airways last week, through the national carrier’s newly established subsidiary Fahari Aviation, for the establishment of the Brazilian company’s Electric Vertical Aircrafts (EVA) in Nairobi from 2025.
Fahari is Kenya Airways’ new wing which deals with unmanned aircraft like drones and has already opened a few unmanned aerial vehicle schools to train interested Kenyans.
Electric Vertical Aircrafts
Embraer’s EVAs are capable of carrying a load of 250 kilograms (about two to three people at most, or less including luggage) at 400KM per hour with an average range of 250KM per flight. The aircraft are completely autonomous, not requiring any human pilots and capable of flight via automatic systems such as radar, lidar and 12 onboard camera sensors. However, when they launch in 2025, Embraer says, there will be one pilot on board.
The vehicles are also completely electrical, which is a key in the deal that is anchored on the need to introduce zero-emission electric planes in the transport sector in Kenya. The flying taxis would also provide an alternative mode of transportation for passengers in a rush, so says Andre Stein, CEO of Embraer’s Urban Air Mobility Solutions unit.
Kenya Prepares to Fly into the Future
In addition, the partnership between Embraer and Fahari will establish “a foundation of concepts and procedures to safely scale EVA throughout the country in the coming years”, Stein says.“We are thrilled to partner with Kenya Airways to provide new forms of air mobility throughout the region for both people and goods. The creation of disruptive and widely accessible Urban Air Mobility solutions will help democratise mobility by making it more accessible, affordable and giving communities more options,” continues Stein.“With our aircraft and aerospace services backing and Kenya Airways’ innovative approach to air mobility, we are enthusiastic about […]