UKRI / Innovate UK Business Connect - Transport Newsletter
23 July 2024
A new study has found that people are likely to support new forms of aviation technologies such as drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) if they serve the public good.
New research led by the University of Birmingham has found that the public are generally supportive of new aviation technologies so long as they deliver benefits for the public and address issues such as socio-economic exclusion, accountability and regulation, and cybersecurity and privacy, as well as impacts on biodiversity and wildlife.
Future Flight for public benefits
The research, funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), consisted of a UK public dialogue and a nationwide survey. The comprehensive research considered scenarios for Future Flight services such as non-passenger carrying drones, eVTOLs, and electric or hydrogen regional air mobility. UK citizens involved in the dialogue deliberated for over four months to help develop a framework to support the roll-out of Future Flight technologies and services, based around 14 high-level principles and recommendations.