AltoVolo’s new quadcopter could be remembered as the first flying car

Of all the eVTOL prototypes we have seen so far, AltoVolo’s new Sigma is the closest to the idea of a personal flying machine a billionaire could have. The quadcopter has a sleek, futuristic design and promises an unmatched range of 550 miles with a top speed of 220 mph, which places it in the league of private jets for regional travel.
The technology enabling this level of performance is in the hybrid electric-jet system developed by AltoVolo, which allows vertical takeoff while enabling high speeds unmatched by competitors. The Sigma has room for three passengers and a maximum takeoff weight of about 1000 Kg. Security is also taken care of: the aircraft can safely land even after the failure of one engine and features a ballistic parachute that can deploy at only 50 feet of altitude.

With a width of just 4.8 meters, AltoVolo’s aircraft is slightly bigger than a big truck or a caravan. It’s also extremely quiet compared to other quadcopters. These characteristics allow AltoVolo to position the Sigma as a personal flying vehicle, capable of landing in driveways or courtyards in residential areas where personal helicopters aren’t allowed to land or take off.

“The Sigma is a statement of intent, reimagining the way we live and travel on our planet,” said AltoVolo’s founder and CEO, Will Wood. “We are building the fastest point-to-point transport solution and have already achieved significant breakthroughs to make this happen.” The company has already completed the Sigma’s simulation testing, while a full-scale demonstrator is currently in the works. AltoVolo plans to start a public waitlist for interested customers in July.