Siemens and Skyway have agreed to collaborate to determine the electrical and digital infrastructure needed to support vertiport operations.
The collaboration involves both companies researching energy demands of vertiports and developing sustainable electrical supply, standard charging processes, and a system of systems to support aircraft operations.
The main objective of the collaboration is to develop vertiports, including researching, developing, planning, and being part of the construction and operation, with each company tasked with bringing its own strength and experience to the effort.
Together, the two will work together to design and engineer a universal eVTOL charging process by evaluating the charging, power, and software requirements to ensure reliable and efficient operations. In addition, Siemens and Skyway will collaborate on ideas to standardize overall vertiport planning and design and reduce energy consumption.
Clifford Cruz, Skyway CEO, said: “Sustainable energy solutions will be the foundation and the necessity for adoption of Urban Air Mobility with the electrification of eVTOL aircraft. Combining our companies’ resources and industry foresight can influence vertiport construction efforts and general UAM solutions on an industry-wide scale while setting a new precedent for modern transportation.”
John Kasuda, Head of Airports at Siemens Smart Infrastructure North America, added: “It is exciting for Siemens to contribute to the evolution of the Urban Air Mobility Industry. The development and efficient operations of vertiports will require innovative solutions to meet the expected demands of fast aircraft turnaround times and a network of varying landing facilities.”