Description: A black aircraft with six blades on top. The fans allow for the air taxi to take off and land vertically. The nose of the aircraft is cone shaped. The front has a big windshield. The six blades surround the aircraft cabin. From the top view, the aircraft has two wings. There are rotating color-changing lights that surround the edge of the aircraft. There are colored lights that surround the edge of the platform.
Hail a Ride in the Sky
From world’s fairs to The Jetsons, the flying car has been a symbol of the future for more than a hundred years. What will happen when this dream becomes a reality? We’re about to find out.
The Bell Nexus is a self-driving, hybrid-electric air taxi. It’s designed to solve traffic congestion and save time commuting. In the not too distant future, air taxis may become as recognizable as their yellow cab predecessors. The Nexus aims to make this kind of transit an accessible and affordable part of city living.
Because the Nexus takes off and lands vertically, it can operate in a dense urban environment. Its six ducts, which provide lifting power, are positioned to allow for stable load bearing and nimble flight. What was once a sci-fi fantasy may soon be as commonplace as a ride-sharing app.
Learn about the engineering feats involved in creating the Nexus here.
Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives
The Bell Nexus display was developed in collaboration with FUTURES and Bell Textron to explore the future of travel, accessibility, and sustainability.