The E20 flying taxi version from TCab Tech will carry one pilot and four passengers.
The company TCab Tech, based in Shanghai, has recently officially become one of the leading eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) candidates in China, after announcing that it has conducted multiple test flights of its prototype E20 flying taxi. The prototype is built at 50% of the final product’s size and can take off and land vertically, as well as transition to forward flight.
Its main wings are designed to mimic seagull wings.
The E20 features an interesting design, with seating for one pilot and four passengers. Its main wings are designed to resemble seagull wings, equipped with six rotors, four of which can adjust their direction to generate lift (or descent) and thrust for forward movement.
A video capturing the test did not provide close-up images of the E20’s intriguing tilt mechanism, but it offers a good sense of the acceleration capability when the propulsion system begins to tilt.
China’s E20 flying taxi prototype
With a simple yet functional rotor system design, the E20 boasts a maximum speed of up to 260 km/h, although the manufacturer TCab only promises an operational range of 200 km. These figures are lower than the maximum speed of 330 km/h and range of 241 km of the Joby S4 prototype from the American company Joby Aviation.
However, these numbers are theoretical and will vary depending on actual operational conditions. TCab has also stated that they have built at least one full-sized prototype, as well as smaller prototypes for testing. In May 2021, a 25% size prototype completed numerous tests on changing flight states. By December 2021, the company produced an additional 50% size prototype with a wingspan of 6 meters to continue testing.
Now, after successfully completing dozens of test flights with the 50% size prototype, the manufacturer is very confident about the future of the product as it approaches the market. Notably, the new prototype has demonstrated excellent capability in transitioning from vertical ascent to forward flight and then vertical landing. This prototype has also been enhanced with options to fine-tune the rotor angles.
It can be said that TCab’s recent achievements, especially in the design of vector thrust engines, have positioned the company among the most advanced eVTOL developers in China. Undoubtedly, it promises to be a noteworthy name in the increasingly heated global eVTOL market.
