Model Z

On land

In land mode all wheels with integrated electrically driveable propellers are in a position usual for land vehicles and the wheels are electrically driven.

In this state the vehicles width is similar to the width of cars and hence our Model Z is compatible with normal land vehicle infrastructure.

Transition (phase 1)

In phase 1 of the transition (land <-> air) all wheels with integrated electrically driveable propellers are turned to the position given in the picture by means of the innovative suspension.

In this state the vehicle’s width is wider than that of a car but it is still smaller than that of an usual street. This means that our Model Z is still compatible with normal land vehicle infrastructure and hence this transition can be carried out almost everywhere, e.g. in a normal parking space.

Transition (phase 2)

In phase 2 of the transition (land <-> air) all wheels with integrated electrically driveable propellers are lifted in relation to the rest of the vehicle by means of the innovative suspension. This means that the vehicle’s body is actually moving towards the ground until it touches the ground, like shown in the picture.

The wheels – but more relevant the integrated electrically driven propellers – however still continue to be lifted in relation to the rest of the vehicle, as so that they are now actually moving up in relation to the ground. This means that the propellers are then above ground and free to be positioned for flight.

Transition (phase 3) & in the air – vertical travelling

In phase 3 of the transition (land <-> air) all electrically driveable propellers (with their surrounding wheels) are turned into a position like the one given in the picture as so that the vehicle is ready for lifting off vertically.

In this state the vehicle’s width is still smaller than an usual street width and hence take-off and/or landing in principle is possible almost everywhere for our Model Z. This especially because in this position the tires are acting as bumpers and hence even contact between the vehicle and other objects will most likely not cause any damage.

The relatively heavy power source is located in the bottom of the vehicle and together with the lifted up propellers/wheels this results in a center of gravity of the vehicle which lays below the propeller plane, i.e. this results in a stable flight configuration.

In the air – horizontal travelling

Due to the innovative suspension horizontal flight of our Model Z however can greately be enhanced by turning the propellers to some position optimized for horizontal travelling, e.g. for travelling straight ahead, like given in the picture.

Everything else from the previous section (wheels act as bumpers, center of gravity with resulting flight stability, as well as operation via Joystick/Touchpad) also applies in this flight mode.

On land – special maneuvers

Due to the innovative suspension our Model Z is able to perform several maneuvers which are not possible with most land vehicles. These maneuvers are:

• Transversal (see phase 1 of the transition): Making parking simple.
• Diagonal (top left): With this maneuver it is possible to overtake other vehicles without having to change the looking directon.
• Turning on a point (top right): With this maneuver it is possible to completely turn the vehicle within the width of a street (i.e. within one lane).
• Bend around a point to the side of the vehicle (bottom left): This maneuver is like a normal bend but this vehicle is able to steer with all four wheels instead of the mostly usual two wheels, to the advantage of better cornering.
• Bend around a point in front/backwards of the vehicle (bottom right): With this maneuver it is possible to get around an object but with always having it straight in front/back.
• Bend around an arbitrary point (without picture): This is a combination of the previous two maneuvers.

In the air – optimized maneuvers

The horizontal aerial maneuvers of our Model Z  – which are possible just alone by adapting the relative speed of the propellers – can be enhanced by adapting the propeller position by means of the innovative suspension. These maneuvers are:

• Straight ahead (see horizontal travelling) and backwards (analog)
• Transversal (top left)
• Diagonal (without picture): This is a combination of the previous two maneuvers.
• Turning around the vertical axis, resp. hovering (top right): Hovering with this propeller position is very stable, especially compared to helicopters.
• Bend around a point to the side of the vehicle (bottom left)
• Bend around a point in front/backwards of the vehicle (botttom right)
• Bend around an arbitrary point (without picture): This is a combination of the previous two maneuvers.