Jaunt Air Mobility has become the latest eVTOL aircraft developer to partner with Uber, with its Reduced rotor Operating Speed Aircraft (ROSA) offering a different concept and approach to the urban air mobility (UAM) sector.
Jaunt’s concept is for a single-rotor compound aircraft that can reduce main rotor rpm during cruise to reduce noise and drag. Over a certain speed, lift is provided by the aircraft’s wings, with a propeller mounted underneath each one.
Jaunt said its design combines “the best features available from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft,” providing high efficiency in hover and cruise flight to meet Uber’s mission requirements with an all-electric propulsion system.
“Jaunt Air Mobility has assembled a highly talented team of experienced engineers with a long history of designing and certifying eVTOL vehicles,” said Mark Moore, Uber Elevate’s director of engineering. “Martin Peryea, Jaunt’s chief technology officer, has led many helicopter development programs as a chief engineer and brings invaluable insights to developing low noise, reliable, and safe aircraft.
Jaunt revealed the partnership on the first morning of Uber Elevate 2019, along with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Honeywell that will see the two companies collaborate on avionics, navigation, flight control, electric propulsion and connectivity systems. The MoU marks Honeywell’s third collaboration with an air taxi company, with technology the company said will allow Jaunt’s air vehicles to interact safely and efficiently.
Under the agreement, Honeywell and Jaunt will work together to develop the technical requirements, program statement of work and definitive agreement in support of Jaunt’s eVTOL demonstration program by the fall of 2021. Jaunt is aiming for certification of the aircraft by the end of 2024.
“Honeywell’s expertise in integrated avionics, flight control systems, electric propulsion, certification and manufacturing, combined with our Reduced rotor Operating Speed Aircraft technology and design capabilities, will allow us to produce more efficient air vehicles,” said Kaydon Stanzione, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. “Together we’ll develop the quietest vehicle with the highest levels of safety compared with other aircraft in its class.”
Honeywell said its background in avionics, navigation, and propulsion made it well-placed to support UAM companies in the development of the rapidly growing industry.
“The vision to disrupt mobility within urban areas is one of the most exciting frontiers in modern aviation,” said Carl Esposito, president of electronic solutions at Honeywell. “Yet, our airspace is complex, crowded and rapidly growing, making safety paramount. Honeywell and Jaunt Air Mobility deeply understand this space and share a collective focus on developing products and technologies that provide exceptional safety and operational efficiency. Together, we will address these challenges to help usher in a new mode of transportation.”
