Boeing has tested a prototype of its electric autonomous passenger drone ? a vehicle that a year ago was just a concept design.
The US aerospace company tested the experimental aircraft, which it is calling a passenger air vehicle (PAV), last week in Manassas, Virginia.
The prototype is an example of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft, which are often referred to as flying cars, one of the first to make it from the drawing board to the skies.

Boeing developed the PAV through its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, which is among several companies to have partnered with Uber to realise the ride-sharing company's vision for flying taxis.
In last week's test flight, the prototype completed a controlled takeoff and hovered for a few seconds before landing. Boeing NeXt, the company's urban air mobility division, says that it will test forward flight as well as the crucial transition from vertical to forward flying ? "the most significant engineering challenge for any high-speed VTOL aircraft" ? in the future.

"In one year, we have progressed from a conceptual design to a flying prototype," said Boeing chief technology officer Greg Hyslop. "We will continue to lead with a safe, innovative and responsible approach to new mobility solutions."
EVTOL vehicles are considered by some to be the future of urban mobility, with their vertical takeoff and landing feature theoretically enabling door-to-door transport.

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