Germany pioneering Personal eco friendly helicopters
Personal helicopters could transform commuting An artist's impression of the cockpit of a personal helicopter system of the future. © Gareth Padfield, Flight Stability and Control Commuters could be lifted out of the noise and pollution of Europe’s overcrowded cities thanks to a group of researchers who are laying down the groundwork for the development of a personal helicopter system as an alternative to land-based travel. It's one of a handful of radical ideas for improving Europe's congested cities that also includes hydrogen-powered postal delivery vehicles and electric boats riding on a cushion of air. Emissions-saving hybrid electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, and the fuel efficiency of standard cars improved by 22 % during the period 1995-2009, according to data supplied by the European Petroleum Industry Association. On top of that, hydrogen-powered buses whose only emission is water vapour are now being tested on Europe's roads as part o...