Bell Unveils Full-Scale Design of Air Taxi at CES 2019

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, revealed the configuration and full-scale vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) air taxi vehicle at CES 2019. The air taxi, named Bell Nexus, is powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system and features Bell’s signature powered lift concept incorporating six tilted ducted fans that are designed to safely and efficiently redefine air travel.

Bell Nexus means the nexus of transport and technology and of comfort and convenience. Nexus captures the long-sought-after vision of quick air travel with a unique in-flight experience, keeping passengers connected to their lives and saving valuable time.

Team Nexus, consisting of Bell, Safran, EPS, Thales, Moog, and Garmin, are collaborating on Bell’s VTOL aircraft and on-demand mobility solutions.

Bell will lead the design, development and production of the VTOL systems. Safran will provide the hybrid propulsion and drive systems. EPS will provide the energy storage systems. Thales will provide the Flight Control Computer (FCC) hardware. Moog will develop the flight control actuation systems and Garmin will integrate the avionics and the vehicle management system (VMC).

Alongside the debut of Bell Nexus, Bell will feature the Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) – an exciting new venture for Bell. The APT family varies in payload capability that can serve many mission sets from medical, law enforcement, offshore missions, and on-demand delivery services. Bell is expanding into a new industry to show the full spectrum of their capabilities and the real-world challenges APT will address.

Bell’s Future Flight Controls simulator will be a new experience for CES participants this year. Bell is actively collecting data to help shape the future flight controls of aviation. Data from these simulators will be used to determine what actions and interfaces are intuitive to the average potential operator and what prior experiences and abilities contribute to these opinions.

Visit Bell Helicopter at CES 2019 at LVCC, North Hall, Booth #5341.