Formula 1 from the air! The world’s first ‘vertiport’ for FLYING car racing features a 360° Skydeck where spectators can watch the action, and retractable landing platforms where the vehicles can refuel

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for stills from the latest film in the Dune franchise.

But the structure in the images could soon become reality, according to Airspeeder.

The company has unveiled its vision for the world’s first flying car racing ‘vertiport’.

The futuristic design includes a 360° Skydeck where spectators could watch the airborne actions, as well as retractable landing platforms where the flying race cars could stop for refueling.

“This innovative concept aims to revolutionize both the sporting and spectator experience, by combining groundbreaking design with sustainability,” Airspeeder explains.

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for stills from the latest film in the Dune franchise. But the images could soon become reality, according to Airspeeder

Airspeeder is an electric flying car racing series based in London. It has unveiled its vision for the world’s first ‘vertiport’ for flying car racing

Airspeeder is an electric flying car racing series based in London, UK.

The company has already pitted remotely controlled flying cars against each other.

The ultimate goal, however, is to stage races pitting fully crewed flying cars against each other, in what Airspeeder describes as a ‘Formula One of the Skies’.

Now the startup has teamed up with global architecture firm HOK to imagine what the event space – or ‘vertiport’ – for these races could look like.

“We believe flying car racing will initiate a new mobility revolution, advancing E-VTOL and EV technology for the benefit of the entire industry,” said Stephen Sidlo, Global Media and Marketing Director at Airspeeder.

The vertiport has an ‘airside zone’ with retractable landing platforms. This would allow teams to make pit stops mid-race to replace batteries, which would ensure ‘fairness and efficiency in the competition’.

Airspeeder says the design marks an ‘exciting step in the development of Airspeeder as both a sport and a vision of the future of mobility’

“This partnership with HOK represents not only a new sport, but the future of fast, sustainable mobility.”

The Skydeck is located in the heart of the vertiport.

This multi-functional hub is located directly below the race track in the sky and offers fans an ‘unparalleled experience’ of the race.

“The vertical nature of the setup provides a 360-degree experience, allowing viewers to see everything from the race grid to the mid-race pit stops and the finish line, all from one place,” Airspeeder said.

Skydeck is modular, which means it can be completely disassembled or expanded.

“The design allows for easy expansion, allowing the facility to grow with the Airspeeder lineup,” the company explains.

“Initially intended to accommodate up to ten teams and twenty Airspeeders, the structure can be scaled to meet the changing needs of the sport and keep pace with its rapid development.”

The vertiport also features an ‘airside zone’ with retractable landing platforms.

The vertiport is just a concept and it remains unclear when and where it could become a reality, or how much it would cost to build.

This would allow teams to make pit stops mid-race to replace batteries, ensuring ‘fairness and efficiency in the competition’.

The vertiport is just a concept and it remains unclear when and where it could become a reality, or how much it would cost to build.

However, the design has already attracted widespread interest on social media.

In response to Airspeeder’s tweet about the vertiport, one user wrote: “Looks great!”

Another added: ‘Foreign design meets futuristic racing! Exciting times are coming for motorsport in the air.’

And someone joked: ‘Let’s fly baby!’

Airspeeder says the design marks an “exciting step in the evolution of Airspeeder as both a sport and a vision of the future of mobility.”

It added: ‘The modular vertiport is more than just infrastructure planning – it is a statement about the potential of eVTOL racing and the future of urban mobility at scale.’

THE AIRSPEEDER MK3: ‘A GIANT TECHNICAL LEAP FORWARD’

According to Alauda Aeronautics, the Airspeeder Mk3 is a “gigantic technical leap” in the development of the world’s first electric flying car racing series.

This remote-controlled vehicle is the last version of an electric flying racing car before the introduction of manned racing craft, the Airspeeder Mk4, which will be launched in 2024.

  • Top speed: 120 km/h
  • Weight: 100kg unscrewed
  • Powertrain: 96 kW
  • Technology: LiDAR and Radar create a ‘virtual force field’
  • Layout: Octocopter X formation

The vessel, which will be controlled from the ground by an expert remote controller, features a range of technologies and technical elements never before seen on an eVTOL vessel.

These innovations will be validated in this important unmanned test phase and include LiDAR and Radar collision avoidance systems that create a ‘virtual force field’ around the craft to ensure close but ultimately safe racing.

The Mk3 features a carbon fiber frame and fuselage, chosen for its strength, stiffness and lightweight properties, ensuring agility, performance and efficiency.

The carbon fiber frame and fuselage add an essential mechanical layer of safety, which will be further enhanced by a full carbon fiber monocoque body that will be introduced on the Mk4 vehicle.

DRIVE:

The MK3 powertrain represents a significant upgrade from the Mk2 proof-of-concept car, increasing power by 95% and increasing weight by just 50%.

Thanks to a 96 kW electric powertrain, the Mk3 already operates with a thrust-to-weight ratio of more than two, on a vessel that weighs just 100 kg unmanned. The Mk3 speeders fly at speeds of more than 75 meters per hour.

AGILITY AND STABILITY:

The Mk3 speeders are arranged in an ‘octocopter X-formation’. This offers significant advantages for pilots in terms of maneuverability and stability.

When racing, the driver can make the same tight hairpin turns as a Formula 1 car, but with the added third dimension of being able to move vertically.

The octocopter configuration also adds an important degree of vehicle redundancy, ensuring the craft can land safely and maintain control if a rotor or battery system fails.

QUICK PITS STOP:

Airspeeder GPs will feature quick pit stops.

To facilitate this, Alauda engineers have developed an innovative ‘slide and lock’ system for quickly removing and replacing batteries on the ground. This technology debuts on the Mk3.

This approach adds a strategic layer to the sport, as teams can tailor battery strategy to the dynamic demands of that specific part of the race.

For example, for courses that require more maneuverability but less straight-line speed, a lighter battery pack can easily be selected to provide more maneuverability at the expense of brute force or endurance.

SOURCE: Airspeeder

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