Bell Air Taxi

The aviation world is fascinated with urban air taxis these days—small, autonomous, electric vehicles that can take off and land vertically. Developers hope these new aircraft will rescue urban-based travelers from gridlock and delay. But officials at Bell Helicopter, a Texas company that’s been building helicopters since the 1930s, say air taxis are nothing new—that’s exactly the niche helicopters have filled for decades. Helicopters, of course, could at best be considered a first-generation air taxi—they’re powered by noisy, fossil-fuel-burning engines, and they require expertly trained pilots.

Bell’s cabin mockup features luxe ergonomic leather seating for four—all passengers, no onboard pilot required—with a full suite of state-of-the-art technologies to ease the commute time. Video calling, Wi-Fi, and wireless charging keep travelers entertained and productive. Big windows provide a panoramic view of the passing scene for those who prefer to watch the world go by.

“The future of urban air taxis is closer than many people realize,” said Bell CEO Mitch Snyder, at CES. “We believe in the positive impact our design will have on addressing transportation concerns in cities worldwide.” Last year, Bell partnered with Uber’s Elevate project, directed by NASA veteran Mark Moore, which aims to bring urban air taxis to reality.

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Bell Helicopter Air Taxi

Photo: Courtesy Bell Helicopter