pursuits

A Flying Cadillac?

The personal travel drone from America’s biggest automaker isn’t yet being mass-produced, but already it has a name to live up to. By Donna Rolando

General Motors has kept Cadillac’s penchant for luxury and given it wings. The epitome of sleek, this single-passenger drone is completely autonomous, with helicopter-like landing prowess. The ultra-lightweight design in stealth black features four sets of rotors at varying heights and a cabin with at least one bucket seat—since you can’t start or finish spelling “Cadillac” without that “c” for comfort. GM’s first venture into aeromobility, this baby is streamlined and futuristic to the max, with bonus panoramic views.

Imagine the commute it could enable, free of traffic jams and without a single red light. Parking hassles? Pshaw! The drone would navigate the city from rooftop to rooftop with the powers of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Gas misery would also be a quaint memory, as the drone is all-electric, with a GM Ultium battery system and 90-kilowatt hour motor. Air-toground and air-to-air communication would mean you’re never out of touch.

But before you rush to the showroom, know this: GM’s Cadillac drone isn’t yet available for purchase. The company whetted America’s appetite by revealing the concept at the 2021 virtual Consumer Electronics Show as part of a keynote presentation by CEO Mary Barra. But while it’s only a vision today, it shows what Cadillac’s maker has on its mind.

Of course, GM isn’t alone in exploring the aerial taxi idea. Others like Aston Martin and Hyundai are also looking to the sky and the urban air mobility sector, which Morgan Stanley says could be a $15 trillion market by 2040.

“We are preparing for a world where advances in electric and autonomous technology make personal air travel possible,” says Michael Simcoe, GM’s global design chief, in the online publication TechCrunch. “It is a concept design for the moment when time is of the essence and convenience is everything.”

The Federal Aviation Administration says limited air taxi services may be feasible by 2023. So why not Cadillac? The name evokes adventure and luxury. The French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac established in 1701 the settlement that became Detroit. And the car brand Cadillac is known for innovation, starting with the interchangeable parts that led to the mass production of automobiles. It isn’t time to buy a Cadillac drone just yet. But keep your eyes on the sky.

Sporting a sleek, futuristic design, this Cadillac drone would enable rapid treks through the city—even at rush hour.