總部位于德國的創(chuàng)業(yè)公司Lilium近日發(fā)布視頻顯示，小型全電動原型機Eagle首次試飛成功。去年12月，Lilium獲得近1100萬美元投資，主要用來研發(fā)類似優(yōu)步的空中出租飛機以緩解城市擁堵。

Eagle并不是會飛的汽車，沒有路上行駛的功能，但因其功能十分靈活所以相當有吸引力。Lilium在視頻中宣傳的核心技術(shù)是垂直起降，因而不需要跑道，在樓頂上就可以接送乘客。Eagle采用電動噴射口，起飛和降落時可移動的管道電風扇集中向下送風，提供向上的動力。

Lilium宣布的性能數(shù)據(jù)相當亮眼，最高時速可達186英里（約合每小時300公里），單次航程可達186英里。Lilium聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人帕特里克·內(nèi)森接受科技網(wǎng)站The Verge采訪時表示，Eagle上裝配的電池“與特斯拉汽車同款”，該公司還表示飛機能耗與電動汽車相仿。

目前公布的原型機為兩座設計，由一位飛行員駕駛。不過Lilium已經(jīng)宣布正在研發(fā)五座版并裝備無人駕駛系統(tǒng)。

不過短期內(nèi)飛行出租車在城市里應用還面臨巨大阻礙。雖然特斯拉首席執(zhí)行官埃隆·馬斯克曾表示可能有一天會解決電動飛機問題，但也表示懷疑城市是否適合小型飛機通行。馬斯克提出，小型飛機可能導致大量噪音并干擾空氣流動，還有可能“天上突然掉個車輪蓋砸破路人腦袋?！?/p>

近年來城市飛行遭限制主要原因就是噪聲問題，2010年紐約市就出臺規(guī)定限制直升機。不過電動飛機比用天然氣的直升機噪聲可能小一些。

盡管阻力重重，業(yè)界研發(fā)小型空中出租車的熱情未減，除了剛推出的Eagle，既能上路又能上天的飛行汽車也在不斷完善。至少已有四家企業(yè)推出了原型機或宣布制造計劃。（財富中文網(wǎng)）

譯者：Pessy

審稿：夏林

Germany-based Lilium has released a video showing what it says is the first successful series of test flights of the Eagle, its prototype of a tiny, all-electric jet. Last December, Lilium secured just short of $11 million in funding towards developing Uber-like flight-on-demand to help relieve urban congestion.

It’s not quite a flying car—it doesn’t have a road-driving mode—but the Eagle has much of the same flexibility that makes them appealing. Key to Lilium’s game plan is the vertical takeoff shown in the video, which would allow it to operate without a runway and pick up passengers from rooftops. The Eagle is propelled by electric jets whose thrust is redirected downwards by movable vents for takeoff and landing.

Lilium makes some truly impressive claims for their vehicle, saying that they can achieve a top speed of about 186 miles per hour and a range of 186 miles per charge. Speaking to The Verge, Lilium co-founder Patrick Nathen says the craft uses “the same battery that you can find in any Tesla,” and the company says the Eagle's in-flight power consumption is comparable to an electric car's.

The current prototype has two seats and is guided by a human pilot, but Lilium has said it is developing a five-seat version piloted by autonomous systems.

But there are significant obstacles to seeing flying taxis in a city near you anytime soon. Though he has said he might one day tackle electric flight, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also poked holes in the potential for small aircraft in cities. Among other points, Musk says they’d generate an excessive amount of noise and air disturbance, and could “drop a hubcap and guillotine you.”

The noise problem alone has led to restrictions on urban flight in recent years, with New York City in 2010 curtailing helicopter tours. Electric aircraft, though, will likely be quieter than gas-fueled choppers.

Potential headwinds haven't stopped recent efforts to develop both small air-taxis like the Eagle, and flying cars proper, which could move on roads as well as through the air. At least four companies have announced prototypes or unveiled production vehicles.