Airspeeder: Electric Flying Racing Cars Coming in 2021

The Dawn of Electric Flying Motorsport: Airspeeder Takes Flight

While the majority of the electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) sector concentrates on urban air mobility or cargo delivery, a novel concept has emerged. Entrepreneur Matthew Pearson envisioned a future of electric flying race cars. Consequently, in 2019, he established Alauda Aeronautics, responsible for aircraft manufacturing, and Airspeeder, the organization dedicated to hosting an international racing series.

First Flights and the EXA Series

Airspeeder has now announced the successful completion of initial test flights with its pioneering electric flying race car. The company is preparing to launch the inaugural race of its EXA series later this year.

These test flights of the Alauda Mk3 took place in South Australia and were overseen by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which subsequently certified the aircraft. Pearson’s ambition, vividly portrayed in Airspeeder’s promotional videos, is to create a racing spectacle reminiscent of the iconic podraces from Star Wars, but without a human pilot onboard.

Remotely Piloted Racing and Future Plans

The initial three races, scheduled for 2021, will feature aircraft controlled remotely by pilots. A crewed demonstration event is anticipated as early as 2022.

The unpiloted Mk3 boasts a top speed of 124 miles per hour (200 km/h) and a lightweight design of just 286 pounds (130 kg). Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph is achieved in a swift 2.8 seconds, a performance comparable to that of the Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan, according to the company.

Pit Stops and Battery Technology

Drawing parallels to Formula One and NASCAR, the Mk3 incorporates a removable battery system for rapid exchange during pit stops. Alauda’s in-house pit crews have demonstrated the ability to replace a battery in under 20 seconds.

A single battery pack provides a flight duration of 10 to 15 minutes. During a 45-minute race, pilots will remotely guide the aircraft to land for approximately three pit stops.

Collision Avoidance and Pilot Control

The Mk3 is equipped with a sophisticated collision avoidance system utilizing a combination of lidar, radar, and machine vision. While the precise number of sensors and system details remain proprietary, Pearson highlighted the system’s core function.

“The vehicles are communicating with each other, understanding each other’s positions and collectively solving the collision avoidance challenge using a shared algorithm,” Pearson explained. “This allows for predictive behavior, but we also aim to provide pilots with substantial freedom and control. Fine-tuning the balance between pilot input and machine intervention will be a key aspect of development.”

A Faster Path to Commercialization

Pearson distinguishes the commercialization trajectory of electric flying race cars from that of air taxi services. “Our model allows for a much quicker path to market; we can be racing before anyone is offering commercial passenger flights.”

Regulatory Advantages

A key factor contributing to this agility is the differing certification process. Air taxis require extensive and costly certification, potentially reaching $1 billion for a single aircraft model. The Mk3 operates under an experimental certification from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, resulting in a significantly reduced regulatory burden.

Iterative Development

“Our strategy centers on continuous development cycles,” Pearson stated. “Instead of dedicating ten years to certifying a single aircraft, we aim to build new iterations annually. This approach deviates from conventional aviation practices, particularly for passenger applications.”

Funding and Partnerships

Airspeeder secured its initial funding in April 2020 from Australian investors Saltwater Capital and Jelix Ventures, with Pearson also contributing capital. The company has also established partnerships with logistics firm BHL and luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen. Specific details regarding the funding of this aeronautics venture remain undisclosed.