eVTOL: The Future of Aerospace
By Gia Hayes, Vice President of Military/Aerospace, TTI
In today’s congested cities, technology is offering a new era of urban mobility. Powered by high-capacity batteries, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles deliver the convenience of helicopter travel without the associated costs. However, to achieve widespread acceptance, these vehicles must address unique challenges. Designers will need to find partners who can not only supply the components they need but also provide the insight and expertise to help them find the right solution. TTI is ideally equipped to guide you through this new and exciting market.
Designing for the Challenges of eVTOL
Gia Hayes
City dwellers of the future will depend less on traditional vehicle ownership, instead embracing alternative transport solutions. Passengers will use personal devices to buy individual journeys, with eVTOL aerial vehicles playing an important role as they can depart and arrive in confined spaces, in some cases acting autonomously without the assistance of a highly trained pilot. Even for vehicles that require a human operator, electronic systems will play a vital role in guidance, control, and safety, ensuring that passengers are conveyed rapidly to their destination.
The safety of passengers and bystanders will be by far the most important requirement if members of the public are willing to adopt eVTOL as a solution for their everyday transport. Acceptance by national aeronautical governing bodies will be vital in ensuring confidence in the safety of these vehicles. This acceptance will require designers to demonstrate the long-term robustness and reliability of the electronic systems.
The controlling electronics for eVTOL vehicles will draw upon technologies developed for the aeronautical, automotive, and even industrial markets. Guidance and collision avoidance will require high-speed imaging devices. The latest high-performance batteries provide the ideal power source for these new vehicles, but they depend on sophisticated battery management systems (BMS) to ensure they are charged and discharged safely.
Electronics at the Heart of eVTOL
At the heart of the vehicle will be the central computing cluster. This will serve as the brains of the vehicle, providing constant monitoring of the onboard systems and of the wider environment. These vehicles will employ the latest machine-learning technologies to make rapid decisions and will be networked with high-performance cables and connectors to ensure low-latency communication.
Despite the sophistication of the electronics at the heart of the eVTOL vehicle, they must remain low in weight. Reducing weight is vital to improve the cost of operation by making aerial vehicles more capable and fuel efficient. Connectors and passives have a significant impact on the weight of any vehicle, and so designers will turn to components designed for the demands of the aerospace industry. Their low weight and small size will allow a greater useable payload. They are also designed to withstand tough conditions such as shock and vibration, making them an ideal solution for eVTOL vehicles.
Providing sustainable transportation systems for the cities of the future will require a new generation of vehicle. Designers of eVTOL systems will depend on components that deliver superior levels of reliability and safety. They will also need to understand the regulatory requirements for such sophisticated systems. Navigating this new market will be easier with the right partner.
We are witnessing an exciting time in the transportation industry with the birth of a whole new means of travel. TTI has supported aerospace and transportation customers for over 50 years and continues to be dedicated to delivering the right product, along with the expertise and responsiveness that allows us to fully understand the needs of the customer. As we enter a new era of personal mobility, TTI is the ideal supplier to help our customers reach their destinations.
About the author
As vice president of the military and aerospace segment at TTI, Inc., Gia Hayes leads a segment comprised of dedicated resources focused on delivering specialization and enhanced value. She has held leadership positions in sales management, business development, operations, supply chain and strategic planning/quoting with Electro Enterprises and Wesco Aircraft.
