Airspeeder, in collaboration with Alauda Aeronautics, is leading the way in the development of electric flying vehicles through the power of sporting competition. With their headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia, and London, England, they are strategically positioned to drive technical progress and build public acceptance for a new mobility revolution.
The philosophy behind Airspeeder is rooted in the belief that nothing accelerates technical progress like sporting competition. Just as Formula One played a crucial role in driving technical development and public acceptance for automotive advancements nearly a century ago, Airspeeder aims to do the same for the emerging electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector.
The potential impact of eVTOL technology on urban aerial transport, global logistics, and remote medical transport is immense. Airspeeder envisions a clean-air, zero-emissions aerial transport solution that can transform the way people and goods are transported.
The founder and visionary behind Alauda and Airspeeder, Matt Pearson, along with a dedicated team of engineers, designers, media and commercial minds from Australia, New York, and London, is driving the rapid development of electric flying vehicles through their involvement in sporting competition. Pearson, who is also involved in the expanding Industrial Internet of Things space through his work at Fleet, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the project.
Alauda Aeronautics, the technical team and manufacturer of the pioneering Speeders that compete in the Airspeeder EXA Series and future crewed Airspeeder races, has created an extraordinary engineering and digital ecosystem for eVTOL racing. Drawing talent from renowned names in Formula 1, motorsport, and advanced aerospace development, including engineers from Ferrari and development experts from Boeing, Airbus, McLaren, Jaguar Land Rover, and Rolls-Royce, the team has achieved a remarkable technical feat.
To support the historic first race and ensure a seamless experience, Alauda Aeronautics had to establish cutting-edge infrastructure, including race control stations, pilot control stations, 5G networks, augmented reality (AR) sky tracks, and an engineering and team control station. These technological advancements mirror the future urban landscape, providing a glimpse into the technology that will underpin the emergence of eVTOL as a viable means of passenger transport.
At the core of the technical ecosystem is the Airspeeder racing craft, a 4.1-meter carbon fiber construction full-scale racing quadcopter.
With a maximum power output of 320kW, equivalent to an Audi SQ7 performance SUV, the Speeder weighs just 130kg without a pilot and can lift a weight of more than 80kg. Its impressive acceleration allows it to reach 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds, with the capability to climb to 500 meters.
The technology and safety systems developed for the Airspeeder races will have far-reaching implications for the eVTOL industry. Alauda has collaborated with partners such as Intel, Telstra Purple, Acronis,and Amazon Web Services to create the digital architecture necessary for managing autonomous and piloted eVTOL vehicles in urban environments. This collaborative approach extends to all of Airspeeder and Alauda’s commercial and technical partners, ensuring the growth of the eVTOL mobility revolution.
The collaboration between Alauda’s engineering team and IWC Schaffhausen, the Engineering and Timekeeping partner, has been instrumental in producing top-quality racing machines with sustainability as a central focus. Additionally, partnerships with Telstra Purple, Intel and Acronis have enabled the secure management of telemetry and race data, essential for optimizing performance and safety.
The support from the Government of South Australia has been invaluable in fostering an ecosystem of leading space and aerospace companies
