After two years of intriguing a global audience with our interactive air taxi solutions, we returned to CES 2020 this year to unveil more than just a new aircraft. Our teams used modern technology's biggest stage to start a conversation around Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and discuss how these flying air taxis will be integrated into our daily lives. It all starts with the idea of a smart city.
What if you could grab a latte, catch a flight across town and speed to work on an electric scooter under 45 minutes? With multi-modal centers, a hub that will house helipads for Nexus vehicles along with convenient ground transportation solutions and even delicious food options, this dream can easily become a reality. An ecosystem that combines these centers with safe, efficient aircraft and an intuitive fleet management system will enable citizens to commute and travel with unparalleled ease. At the Bell experience, we showcased a scaled-down smart city to share the technology connectivity our teams envision for future mobility. Catch up on the most memorable moments of the show:
Vice President of Innovation Scott Drennan tackled the subject of MaaS in both urban and rural environments. "With customer objectives that span both urban and rural travel, we're developing the Bell Nexus 4EX and our Autonomous Pod Transport aircraft to serve the needs of citizens in both areas."
In the ever-growing and changing Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, a region that supports seven million residents, 24 Fortune 500 companies, and the fourth busiest U.S. airport with over 73 million travelers in 2019, congestion and crowded roads are inevitable. Through partnerships with Hillwood Corporation, the DFW Airport and the local government, Bell is ready to use our own communities to set a global example.
Bell's Technical Leads Grant Bristow and Naveed Siddiqui discussed Bell AerOS, the operating system that will make Nexus fleet management possible. "AerOS helps maximize aircraft utility, which is a critical driver for the success of UAM,” said Grant. "As a technology company redefining flight, Bell wants to consider the entire mobility ecosystem, and AerOS gives Bell a strong platform to build digital capabilities that create a powerful Mobility as a Service offering.