CycloTech’s pioneering technology may transform air mobility and take flight in UAE

With unique CycloRotor propeller

The Austrian aviation technology company CycloTech has recently secured a significant milestone in its journey, raising $21 million for its revolutionary CycloRotor propellor. The investment from Breeze Invest and Konos Holdings supports the development of the first full-scale CycloRotor prototype. This funding reinforces CycloTech’s status as an innovative flight propulsion technology leader and marks a significant leap in the startup’s growth trajectory.

The CycloRotor’s unique electrically driven design, with its 360° thrust vector control, is a game-changer in the aviation industry. It enables smaller, more manoeuvrable eVTOL aircraft to transition smoothly between vertical and horizontal flight without changing attitude or needing extra propulsion. This enhances the efficiency and safety of air travel and paves the way for a significant shift in urban air mobility.

CycloTech is also engaging with additional investors to reach a target of $57 million this year, which will facilitate certification preparation with the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The financing is crucial for CycloTech’s aim to deliver a market-ready product by 2030. With this funding, CycloTech will be well-positioned to advance its technology to meet safety and performance standards, playing a pivotal role in the future of air mobility.

From 2016 to 2023, CycloTech has developed six generations of its CycloRotor, with the latest model undergoing flight tests since 2021.

Watch the video here:

In this exclusive interview at Expand North Star 2024 in Dubai, Hans-Georg Kinsky, CEO of CycloTech, highlights the vision for CycloTech and its revolutionary approach to eVTOL technology, including the importance of regulatory navigation, market integration, and innovative design to transform urban air mobility into a reality.

Excerpts from the interview:

Can you explain what CycloTech is and what differentiates it from other innovative companies in the aviation sector?

We specialise in CycloRotor technology, an aviation propulsion system inspired by the principles of the Voith-Schneider Propeller (VSP) used in the marine sector. This design has been successfully used in maritime applications for over a century.

Our innovation lies in the ability to generate thrust in multiple directions—upwards, downwards, forwards, and backwards—unlike traditional propellers or jet engines, which are limited to one direction. This capability provides our aircraft with exceptional agility and manoeuvrability.

What is particularly groundbreaking is that our systems can effectively replace wings rather than just rotors and propellers. This leads to more compact designs, allowing vehicles that take up significantly less space.

As electric flying technology develops, we see exciting advancements on the horizon, including the first certifications for electric air taxis in China. This represents a critical step toward the future of urban air mobility, a future that we at CycloTech are excited to be a part of and help shape.

You mentioned the potential for urban air mobility. How do you view the current market landscape, particularly in regions like the Arabian Gulf?

The Arabian Gulf countries, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are up-and-coming markets for our technology. I arrived in the region over 20 years ago and have witnessed a remarkable evolution. The drive for innovation is palpable. For instance, Abu Dhabi has launched initiatives in autonomous mobility across various domains—land, air, and sea.

We have also applied for a Masdar City licence in Abu Dhabi to integrate into this ecosystem. This is crucial for attracting the necessary partners—air traffic management, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and composite manufacturers. The UAE presents a unique combination of innovative spirit and substantial capital investment, which makes it an attractive hub for us.

With such ambition, what are the key challenges you face in this market?

The challenges primarily revolve around regulatory frameworks. We must navigate a complex landscape of certification regulations in Europe and the US, and although some jurisdictions promise expedited processes, we still face hurdles.

Additionally, we must demonstrate that our systems meet the highest safety standards comparable to traditional aviation technologies, given that flying is inherently the safest mode of transport.

We have already participated in exhibitions like DRIFTx* in Abu Dhabi and have seen strong interest from various stakeholders. However, establishing connections with local authorities, particularly in Dubai, is vital for our growth. *DRIFTx is An international thought-leadership and exhibition platform pioneering the latest innovations and applications in smart, autonomous, and sustainable urban mobility across air, land, and sea.

What unique advantages does CycloTech bring to the electric mobility sector that major corporations might not?

CycloTech aims to democratise flying by making it accessible for everyday use, not just as a luxury service. Our technology is designed to perform reliably even in challenging weather and on smaller landing spaces, which is crucial for urban environments.

For example, our aircraft design is about 50% smaller than the most compact models currently available, making it much easier to integrate into existing infrastructure. Our vision is to create a two-seater aircraft that fits within the footprint of two car parking spots, competing directly with traditional vehicles in the automotive industry.

Where do you see the electric mobility industry heading in the next decade?

We expect significant advancements in autonomous flying capabilities within the next ten years, particularly in the Middle East region. According to experts like those from McKinsey, we might see operational autonomous flying by the 2030s. Our systems should fully integrate with vehicle manufacturers to provide the necessary services.

We anticipate that these technologies will be priced competitively enough to be available to the general public by the mid-2040s, transforming how we think about transportation.

If you are producing in Europe, how do you plan to maintain competitive pricing compared to manufacturers in China?

That is an excellent question. While production costs in Europe are higher, we are also exploring options for manufacturing in the Arabian Gulf region, particularly in Abu Dhabi, which has initiatives to attract hi-tech manufacturing investment.

However, we recognise that the primary market for our vehicles will be Asia, where demand is rapidly growing. Our development can happen in Europe and the Arabian Gulf, but as we scale, we must establish production facilities closer to our main markets.

Featured image: Hans-Georg Kinsky, CEO of CycloTech, with a prototype of the CycloRotor propeller system at Expand North Star 2024 in Dubai. Credit: Arnold Pinto