NASA is advancing the future of air travel by developing a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) flight simulator. This simulator is designed to study passenger comfort in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, commonly known as air taxis.
Located at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, the VR simulator uses immersive visuals, motion cues, and spatialized audio to replicate the experience of an air taxi ride. Test pilot Wayne Ringelberg recently evaluated the simulator, providing feedback on its realism. This research is part of NASA's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission.
The AAM mission aims to integrate air taxis, drones, and cargo delivery aircraft into the national airspace. NASA is also collaborating with industry partners to address challenges in air taxi development. A Honeywell survey showed that nearly all U.S. airline passengers would consider using an eVTOL, highlighting the potential for rapid adoption.
The simulator is a key component of NASA Armstrong's VR passenger ride quality laboratory. Over the next four years, studies will gather data on passenger responses to motion and other stimuli. The findings will help develop air taxis that meet passenger comfort expectations. NASA's efforts are paving the way for a new era in urban air mobility.