A South African startup by the name of Phractyl has unveiled a mind-boggling aircraft concept whose appearance and design is inspired by birds, and whose performance aims to make use of aerodynamic design and futuristic battery technologies to achieve reliable and eco-friendly flight.
This electric aircraft concept, dubbed Macrobat, is dubbed as a "near VTOL" craft in that it doesn't quite achieve full-scale vertical takeoff and landing but rather makes use of a hybrid movement where in the craft and its wings tilt backward.
The current iteration of the concept proposes a range of 150 km and the ability to haul a payload of up to 150 kilograms, not to mention a top speed in the region of 180 km/h. What's more, the Macrobat could be piloted by a human occupant or a remote pilot, allowing for a range of applications that run the gamut from recreation and industrial inspections to cargo deliveries and rescue operations.
Avian African Aircraft Concepts
This Bird-Like Aircraft Proposes 'Near-VTOL' Flight Operation
Trend Themes
1. Bird-inspired Aircraft Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aerospace industry to explore eco-friendly and aerodynamic bird-inspired designs for aircrafts.
2. Electric Aircraft Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to adopt futuristic battery technologies to achieve reliable and sustainable aircraft performance.
3. Remote Piloting - Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to explore the use of remote pilots, enabling the Macrobat for a variety of applications such as industrial inspections or rescue operations.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace - The aerospace industry can explore the use of bird-inspired designs and aerodynamics for achieving sustainable and eco-friendly flight.
2. Aviation - The aviation industry can explore the use of futuristic battery technologies for reliable and sustainable aircraft performance, as well as implementing the use of remote pilots for various applications.
3. Cargo and Delivery - The cargo and delivery industry can explore the Macrobat's capabilities for hauling heavy payloads of up to 150 kilograms at a top speed of 180 km/h for efficient and eco-friendly transportation.