The Trump administration is seeking to help U.S. companies gain a leading role in the rapidly evolving air taxi sector, with an eye on showcasing this technology at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It has already included this technology in its transportation agenda by issuing an executive order and launching a new initiative aimed at collecting data to accelerate the application of such aircraft. In September, Transportation Secretary DeFazio announced a pilot program to explore feasible pathways for integrating related technologies—including air taxis (formally known as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, eVTOLs) and hybrid-electric and fully battery-powered aircraft—into the U.S. aviation system. The data collected through this project will enable participants to understand how these aircraft operate in real-world environments and what adjustments are needed to integrate them into the existing transportation system. Companies such as Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation, and BETA Technologies are promoting their battery-powered, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, claiming they have the potential to revolutionize the way people travel. Meanwhile, Wisk, a subsidiary of Boeing, and Reliable Robotics are developing models that do not require a pilot, an innovation that could improve the economics of aerial transportation and provide air passenger and freight services to smaller and more remote communities. Experts point out that one of the key factors in achieving commercial success is shifting from "a novelty for the wealthy" to an accessible transportation option for the general public. Critics argue that the technology is still too immature to warrant government support.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851373817941130/
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