Here’s a crazy copter with 18 rotors invented by physicist Thomas Senkel. Now, this thing is not like what physicists unleashed upon us last week but it’s equally fantastic — even if it looks like your blender. Much innovation has gone into the Volocopter and the world, which has always been interested in flight, is giving the invention every bit of attention.
The video of Senkel test flying the Volocopter has attracted over 3.5 million views on YouTube. Senkel’s start up company, e-volo has built it to run solely on battery power. The invention has already scored with the Lindbergh Prize for Innovation. The blades, each measuring about six feet in length, are arranged in two concentric circles atop a cockpit designed to hold one or two people. Another small rotor under the body keeps the invention from cratering and should the batteries fail, there will be enough juice left for a safe landing.
Senkel has plans to produce a Volocopter prototype in less than a year and production models could hit the assembly line in three years. What will it mean for modern transit? Experts are claiming the Volocopter will change the way helicopters are built. Well, for starters we finally have something affordable to fly over traffic. Hopefully, this physics project fits into a suitcase and packs a CD player!