Larry Page's Self-Flying Taxi Set for New Zealand Test Runs
- Thread starter RDoug
- Start date
It’s a fully-autonomous aircraft, and so the occupants won’t need a US FAA pilot certificate. It’s a proof-of-concept moonshot platform, but it will help refine technologies that make it eventually possible. And it’s being tested in New Zealand because of difficulties working with FAA.
Murdoughnut
Well sized member
Well also because there's very little air traffic to have to manage in New Zealand, aside from fellbeast and great eagles.
killbilly
Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
Given that it actually achieves flight, maybe they do. It's a different approach.
It's an interesting idea to take three simple systems and integrate them instead of a really complex system like a helicopter. I like that they're trying something different.
Richman
JC’s Resident Curmudgeon
And the Sheep God. Do not anger it.
ppragman
No pasa nada.
Also there are Nazgul all over the place.
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
As long as you’re not a man, that’s not a problem.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
I self-identify as a male halfling wielding a 1600 year old enchanted dagger.
killbilly
Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
Attempts to make the saving throw are futile.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
-an army of your allied enemies approaches
-you outnumber them 10:1
-they roll for sneak attack damage
-natural 20
-ffs
-critical hit
-roll for self destruct damage
-roll a 1
-ffs anthropomorphic eagles? What rule book are you using?
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
Did you encounter a Dread Gazebo in the back yard?
NickH
Uber Driver
Huh? The efficiency of a pusher prop and conventional wing are significantly better than trying to use the lift rotors for forward flight. Given how limiting electrical power is, that's not surprising.
Pretty sure they know quite a lot more than you about Aircraft Design.
Richman
JC’s Resident Curmudgeon
Ok I seriously LOLed at that...nice pull.
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Distruptors only work in IT. You can't bend the laws of physics to your will just because your business is new and trendy.
GolfChuck
Trustworthy Source
What happens when the motor fails, the battery catches fire, or the transmission fails? A multicopter can't auto rotate and if the wings are producing the lift there will be a whole lot more drag with all those stationary VTOL rotors hanging in the wind. How does it see and avoid? How does it know it's not about to land on a small child/parked car/etc. How will it factor for out of envolope W&B? How will it deal with adverse weather conditions? Looks like a whole lot of surface area to collect ice.
Of course eventually those problems will all be solved, but with today's technology if you throw the systems in that machine to handle all of those scenarios there won't be much, if any useful load/range left.
All you survey guys driving for Uber in the off season, I think your jobs are safe still.