Company:Alauda Aeronautics
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| Industry | Aerospace |
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| Headquarters | Adelaide, Australia , Australia |
Key people | Founder/CEO: Matt Pearson |
| Products | Electric aircraft |
Number of employees | 30+ (June 2021) |
| Website | www |
Alauda Aeronautics is the manufacturer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) octocopters that will race in the forthcoming Airspeeder racing series.
The firm is based in Adelaide, South Australia and was founded by entrepreneur Matt Pearson in 2016. The firm consists of senior engineers drawn from leaders in civil and military aviation, motor racing and performance automotive engineering. These ‘Speeders’ first flew at an undisclosed test location in Adelaide, South Australia under the observation of Australia's Civil Aviation Authority (CASA).[1][2]
Speeders
Models
- Mk 1: The first model of the quadcopters Mark I was developed in 2017, it is a single pilot vehicle with four vertical propellers and intended for racing.[3][4]
- Mk 2: Launched in November 2018, this was the company's first octocopter (8 propellers on four corners of the race craft). It flies at an average height of 4 m.
- Mk 3: The commencement of the Mk 3 programme began in October 2020 with the completion of the first craft. The Airspeeder Mk 3, is a full-sized, unmanned flying prototype. It matches the dimensions and dynamic profile of the Mk 4 craft that will undergo first manned flights in 2021 and first Flying Car Grand Prix in 2022. The Mk 3 powertrain represents a significant upgrade on the Mk 2 proof of concept vehicle. The 560 kW battery powertrain weighs 100 kg unmanned. The Mk 3 Speeders will fly at speeds of up to 140 km/h.[5]
- Mk 4: A manned electric racing quadcopter powered by an interchangeable 500 kW battery and has been designed from the ground up by Alauda for racing and performance flying.[6] It is a closed single-seat cockpit craft and is a carbon fibre monocoque design. Unloaded, an Mk 4 Speeder weighs 120 kg and can fly at speeds up to 200 km/h.[7][8][9]
Technology
The Mk3 remotely-piloted electric flying racing car delivers 320 kW at maximum power, equalling an Audi SQ7 performance SUV. It can lift a weight of more than 80 kg, proving the viability of the powertrain for piloted races. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) takes 2.8 seconds and the Speeder can climb to 500 meters.[10]
The Mk3, which will be operated by a remote operator from the ground, featuring LiDAR and collision avoidance systems.[11]
References
- ↑ Authority, Civil Aviation Safety (2019-05-23). "AIRSPEEDER OPERATIONS PTY LTD" (in en). https://www.casa.gov.au/rpa-operator-certificate-holders/riotplan-pty-ltd.
- ↑ "Flying electric car takes off in South Australian desert ahead of Formula One-style races" (in en). 2021-06-17. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/17/flying-electric-car-takes-off-in-south-australian-desert-ahead-of-formula-one-style-races.
- ↑ Lieu, Johnny. "Behind the ambitious plan to build and race flying cars" (in en). https://mashable.com/2017/12/14/alauda-racing-flying-cars/.
- ↑ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/602bb22f8fa8f50388f9f000/Alauda_Airspeeder_Mk_II_UAS_reg_na_03-21.pdf
- ↑ "Alauda Airspeeder Mk3" (in en). https://evtol.news/alauda-airspeeder-mark-3.
- ↑ "These wild drones are the future of motorsport. Apparently" (in en). 2019-07-02. https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/these-wild-drones-are-future-motorsport-apparently.
- ↑ "There's NASCAR, Formula 1, Indy Car, and Soon, Airspeeder MK4 Flying Electric Vehicle Racing" (in en-US). 2019-07-02. https://www.techeblog.com/airspeeder-mk4-flying-electric-vehicle/.
- ↑ "Airspeeder: World’s First Flying Electric Car Racing Series Makes Giant Leap Forward - automobilsport.com". http://www.automobilsport.com/cars-tuning--37,205820,Airspeeder-Worlds-First-Flying-Electric-Car-Racing-Series-Makes-Giant-Leap-Forward,news.htm.
- ↑ "Alauda Airspeeder // eVTOL Aircraft Overview by TransportUP" (in en-US). https://transportup.com/alauda-airspeeder/.
- ↑ "Airspeeder completes the first test flight for its electric flying race car" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/airspeeder-electric-flying-race-car-test-flight-175132594.html.
- ↑ "Acronis to secure Airspeeder electric flying car race" (in en-US). 2020-09-09. https://futureiot.tech/acronis-to-secure-airspeeder-electric-flying-car-race/.
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