Short description: The next breakthrough in urban transportation will most likely be transportation by unmanned vehicles operating in a network of Vertiports. The layer will be a rapidly replacable surface on each vertiport that assures seamless autonomous operation through advanced integrated functionality.
Market potential: According to the European DACUS research project, the need for landing platforms will be one per 3000 inhabitants. The potential is a simple extrapolation of population and the pace of expansion.
Timing: The first commercially operated eVTOL will be certified in 2023-2024. Vertiports will have final EASA certification rule set by 2024. Market will require this end 2024 and onwards in municipal suburbs.
Desired result: A proof of concept for an intelligent surface layer is possible to further develop into a product. Aspects as future vertiport certifications, safety perspective, security perspective and minimum Opex impact during resurfacing and upgrades of the intelligent surface must be addressed.
Information on challenge owner: Small SME (10-49 staff).
Market presence of challenge owner: Active in several countries.
Keywords: Airtransport; Sensors; AAM; UAM; Resurfacing
