Understanding the Different Types of Autonomous Vehicles

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With the emergence of drones, quadcopters, hybrid and electric aircraft and more flying technical solutions comes the need to discover how the world can benefit from these innovations. But before we dive into their unique purposes, we have to understand their capabilities and what they are. How do they fly? What technology do they utilize? Jim Ryan, Sr. Sales and Strategy Manager from Advanced Vertical Lift Systems breaks down the different types of vehicles and which category Bell’s Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) falls into.

Need more clarification? We’ve highlighted few basic aviation terms below to help you navigate this new, innovative world. Take a look:

Quadcopter: An unmanned helicopter with four rotors

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system; which include a UAV, a ground-based controller, and a system of communications between the two

Drones: A remote-controlled pilotless aircraft or small flying device

Hybrid aircraft: An aircraft with a hybrid electric powertrain, as the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is much lower than aviation fuel, it effectively increases the range compared to pure electric aircraft            

Electric aircraft: Aircraft powered by electric motors, such as batteries, ground power cables, solar cells, ultracapacitors, fuel cells or power beaming

Tail-sitter: A tail-sitter or tailsitter is a type of VTOL aircraft that takes off and lands on its tail, then tilts horizontally for forward flight

As technology offers more innovations and terms to learn, we can’t wait to highlight more about our dynamic vehicles and share how they’ll fit into this new age of unmanned technology.

Discover more about Bell’s innovation and Bell APT 70.

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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