Category: Transport
Bombardier wins engineering prize for eco-designed wing
A Belfast team have won a prestigious engineering innovation award for developing a component to minimise an aircraft’s environmental impact. The Royal Academy of Engineering said its MacRobert Award recognises engineering teams that demonstrate outstanding innovation, societal benefit and commercial success. The winners, Bombardier, created a resin-infused advanced composite wing that minimises an aircraft’s environmental…
Virgin Orbit hails test of air-launched satellite booster
Virgin Galactic’s sister company Virgin Orbit has conducted a drop test of its air-launched satellite booster over California in a key step towards space missions. The 70ft LauncherOne rocket was released from a Boeing 747 flying 35,000 feet over an Edwards Air Force Base test range in the Mojave Desert. The purpose of the test…
Ola given licence to compete with Uber in London
Indian ride-hailing app Ola has been granted permission to operate in London, the firm said. Transport for London granted the company a private hire vehicle operating licence, allowing it to compete with Uber. Ola launched its inaugural UK services in South Wales in August last year and now operates across 21 UK boroughs, serving towns…
Google Maps adds crowdedness predictions for UK public transport
Google is introducing a new feature to its Maps app that will help commuters hoping to avoid packed trains and buses during rush hour. Crowdedness predictions, which work out how busy trains, buses and Tube journeys are likely to be based on past rides, are coming to 18 cities and towns across the UK. The…
Boeing and Kitty Hawk to work on electric self-flying taxis
Aerospace firm Boeing has announced plans to work on self-flying taxis with an American start-up backed by Google co-founder Larry Page. The company will collaborate with Kitty Hawk on future efforts to advance safe urban air mobility, with a focus on providing its aerospace expertise to help build its autonomous electric vehicle called Cora. “Working…
Uber Air to test flying taxis in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne has been chosen as one of the latest testbeds for Uber’s helicopter-like flying ambitions which are due to set off with trials as soon as next year. The Australian city is the third location to be selected and the first outside the US, joining Dallas and Los Angeles as a launch site for its…
Ride-hailing service Bolt (formerly Taxify) re-launches in London
Estonian ride-hailing service Bolt has launched service in London two years after a short-lived attempt to expand in the capital. The company, previously known as Taxify, kicked off its service on Tuesday with a half-price deal aimed at challenging rivals including Uber. Bolt promises cheaper prices for passengers and a bigger cut of earnings for…
UK scientists develop self-propelling Phoenix aircraft that ‘inhales’ air
An innovative solar-powered aircraft that can stay in the sky for prolonged periods of time by “inhaling” air to move has been created by scientists in the UK. The Phoenix unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is able to propel itself forward autonomously, repeatedly switching from being lighter than air and heavier than air to generate thrust,…
‘World’s biggest plane’ Stratolaunch completes first flight
A giant aircraft with the world’s longest wingspan has landed after its first ever flight. The twin-fuselage Stratolaunch jet landed two hours after taking off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The company said the jet hit altitudes of up to 17,000 feet above the Mojave Desert while performance and handling qualities were…
Stagecoach trials UK’s first full-sized bus with driverless technology
The UK’s first full-sized bus with driverless technology is being trialled by one of the UK’s biggest transport firms. Stagecoach said the vehicle will use autonomous functions to move around a depot in Manchester. The system uses multiple sensors such as radar, optical cameras and ultrasound to plan a path for the vehicle…
