Thomas Senkel of German company e-volo completed the first manned flight of their 16-rotor electric multicopter, lasting 1 minute, 30 seconds.
The 80-kg multicopter is mechanically simple, using onboard computers for control, and boasts a high safety feature of being able to land even after losing four motors.
The craft demonstrated "good natured" flight characteristics, can fly for 10-30 minutes depending on battery, and e-volo plans to develop commercial single and multi-seat versions.
Thomas Senkel of the German company e-volo recently became the first to pilot an interesting craft – a so-called electric multicopter with 16 rotors.
With a single seat placed in the center of those blades, the 80-kilogram (176-pound), all-electric vehicle may look a bit frightening to the risk-averse eye.
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