{"id":5990,"date":"2012-06-12T09:12:16","date_gmt":"2012-06-12T16:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=5990"},"modified":"2012-06-13T13:03:39","modified_gmt":"2012-06-13T20:03:39","slug":"e-volo-wins-lindbergh-innovation-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/e-volo-wins-lindbergh-innovation-award\/","title":{"rendered":"e-volo Wins Lindbergh Innovation Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

e-volo<\/a>, the company that crafted the VC-1 16-blade ultralight helicopter last year<\/a>, won the Lindbergh Prize for that accomplishment and for its ongoing development of the multi-rotor platform, with single, two-seat, and unmanned aerial vehicles in conceptual versions.<\/p>\n

Yolanka Wulff, CEO of the Lindbergh Foundation, shared their press release on this award, given April 20 at AERO-Friedrichshafen.\u00a0 Erik Lindbergh presented the AERO 2012 Lindbergh Prize for Innovation to e-volo for the group\u2019s \u201cbreakthroughs in redundancy, simplicity of controls and inefficiencies inherent in the control surfaces normally used in aircraft.\u201d\u00a0 The Foundation noted, \u201cThis aircraft was so innovative that it appears to be in a category all by itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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e-volo's concept for an ultralight single seater<\/p><\/div>\n

The award cited the safety of multiply redundant motors, controllers, and propellers, and explains that the next design phase, the VC evolution 2P, will \u201crelocate the propulsion units above the fuselage which should improve the stability with a lower center of gravity and allow for the use of a whole airframe parachute (a safety system not normally available in a helicopter).\u201d<\/p>\n

Game Boy and X-Box players will find real flight a simple matter, according to the award, with the ability to \u201ctransition right from their smart phones and game stations to the Volocopter,\u201d with its joystick control and intuitive fly-by-wire operation.<\/p>\n

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The P2 is a more substantial craft, but still weighs only 990 pounds loaded<\/p><\/div>\n

The e-volo system controls flight direction and velocity through differential power to each rotor, eliminating the normal mechanical controls and getting the most from each miniature powerplant.\u00a0 Multiple small rotors also generate less noise than a more traditional vehicle.<\/p>\n

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Overhead view shows 19 rotors, modular construction<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe believe that the development of the Volocopter holds significant promise to radically change short distance transportation,\u201d said Erik Lindbergh. \u201cIt has a long development path ahead, but if this innovative design reaches the commercial market it will dramatically change the way we move about the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bose Corporation provided two QC-15 acoustic noise cancelling headsets to be awarded to the prize winning team.<\/p>\n

e-volo plans three paths for its future: a single-seat ultralight, 19-rotor vehicle; a two-seat VC Evolution 2P with a speed of 54 knots (62 mph), minimum flight altitude of 6,500 feet, takeoff weight of 450 kg (990 pounds) and the ability to stay aloft for at least an hour; and an unmanned version. \u00a0The two manned versions shown have a tail rotor to provide additional forward thrust.<\/p>\n

e-volo\u2019s two-year development plan calls for a collaboration with the LBA (German Federal Aviation Office) and the DULV (German Ultralight Aircraft Association).\u00a0 e-volo anticipates, \u201cautonomous test flights over uninhabited areas for days on end… in order to test and demonstrate the reliability of the electronic steering and the diverse safety concepts in an uninterrupted flight.\u201d\u00a0 The team also plans a UAV-type platform that could carry up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds).\u00a0 Such a device would serve nicely for inter-urban transport of goods.<\/p>\n

Such simple-to-fly, ultralight craft would have a place in the commuter market, especially if they could be manufactured for a reasonable price \u2013 something which seems reasonable in terms of the growing sophistication and economy of electronics.<\/p>\n

From their web site, \u201cThe Lindbergh Foundation<\/a> is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Anoka, Minnesota, which focuses on technological breakthroughs to address significant aviation-environmental issues. The Lindbergh Foundation also values individual initiative and accomplishments. Its programs are devoted to supporting, honoring, and educating individuals, through three major programs: the annual Lindbergh Award, presented to individuals for significant contributions toward balancing nature and scientific innovation in their work; the Lindbergh Grants program, which provides grants in amounts up to $10,580 (the cost of building the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927) for research or education projects that will make important contributions to the technology\/environment balance; and a variety of educational events including the new Aviation Green Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n