PANTALA CONCEPT H - Fast, quiet, sustainable - this is what individual mobility in megacities will look like in the future. studiokurbos designs its first flying vehicle for the Shanghai-based startup Pantuo Aviation.
THE FEATURES OF "PANTALA CONCEPT H"
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“PANTALA Concept H” is developed in a perfect triad of innovative technology, progressive design and an outstanding customer experience.
The key product features at a glance:
- vertical take-off and landing in confined spaces
- fully electric propulsion via 22 ducted fans
- spacious interior with 5 seats
- range of 250 km
- 300 kph maximum speed
THE CHALLENGE
Individual mobility in megacities confronts many people with significant challenges.
How demanding customers in Shanghai can get to their destination quickly, sustainably and quietly in the future is something that the progressive startup Pantuo Aviation from Shanghai has considered. The company has developed "PANTALA Concept H" a series-ready, eVTOL ("electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft") - studiokurbos was commissioned with the design development of the aerial vehicle
THE CONCEPT
The aerial vehicle is fully electrically powered via ducted fans and enables vertical take-off and landing in limited space. With a range of 250 km, it can quickly transport 5 people to their desired destination at a maximum speed of 300 km/h. The aerial vehicle is expected to fly passengers through Shanghai starting in 2027.
THE NAME SAYS IT ALL
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The name Pantuo Aviation has given its new flying vehicle fits the concept: It combines the two Greek terms "Pan" ("everything") with "Talaria" - the name for the winged sandals of Hermes, a son of Zeus, the messenger of the gods.
THE DESIGN: FUTURISTIC AND SPACIOUS
In the design, sporty agility is combined with futuristic elegance. The premium character of the aircraft is recognisable at first glance in the exterior through the generous surfaces, few component separations and dynamic lines. It stretches like a second skin over the complex technology - minimalist and progressive at the same time.
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The approach is being continued consistently in the interior. A wraparound line encloses the passengers and conveys a feeling of security that picks up on the "cocooning" trend. For the discerning target group, the focus was on plenty of storage space and comfort. The use of wood and textile elements lends the interior spaciousness and high quality. While the upper area was deliberately designed to be light and bright, the floor contrasts in dark anthracite with an incorporated polygon structure.
LIGHT AS BRAND ORCHESTRATION
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A hexagon structure is designed as a light graphic on the glazed roof. It stands for the feeling of cohesion, stability and, not least, connectivity. Light plays an important role in the overall concept - for example, the interior is flooded with light through the large glass surfaces. The continuous light strip at the rear of the aircraft in the night design ensures optimum visibility and becomes a brand-defining recognition effect.
AERODYNAMICS BY INNOVATION
Functionality - a unique selling proposition in the competitive environment
During take-off and landing, the wings fold down, as a whole, whereupon the aerial vehicle can be steered vertically upwards. This unique selling proposition clearly distinguishes it from all other products on the eVTOL market.
The 22 large-diameter distributed ducted fans replace the rotors known from conventional helicopters and provide optimal manoeuvrability while hovering and high noise reduction. The innovative tilt-wing system improves aerodynamics in flight.
STATEMENT - HOLISTIC DESIGN AND CHINESE MARKET REQUIREMENTS
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Andreas Kurbos, CEO and Managing Director of studiokurbos sums up the design development of the aerial vehicle: "With the Pantala Concept H, we have once again demonstrated our holistic design expertise in terms of design language, flight experience and visualization ideas. The design work also incorporated the expertise of our Chinese colleagues, who themselves live and work in Shanghai. This "inside view" helped us a lot culturally and aesthetically.
We thank Pantuo Aviation for the successful collaboration and are sure that this aerial vehicle for Shanghai will bring an innovative and sustainable addition to individual mobility."
ABOUT PANTUO
Pantuo Aviation is a Shanghai-based startup founded by experts in the aerospace and electric vehicle industry. The company specializes in the development of advanced mobility solutions and related technologies.
ABOUT STUDIOKURBOS
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studiokurbos is an owner-managed and independent design studio based in Stuttgart and Shanghai. As an interdisciplinary design partner, they design mobility, products, and user experiences for brands and markets all over the world.
Automotive design – In the field of automotive design, studiokurbos designs smart mobility of the future with all its attributes from ‘autonomous’ to ‘connected’ to ‘shared’. studiokurbos develops both interiors and exteriors that highlight the specific characteristics of their respective clients and thus strengthen the market position of their products.
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Product design – Understanding, interaction, usability, and user experience are integral parts of any product design. Considering the lasting value and emotional connotation we create a symbiosis between aesthetic form design and user-friendly function.
User experience design – The user experience design team at studiokurbos develops forward-looking interaction and operating concepts. These combine real and virtual worlds to create fascinating spatial experiences and user symbioses for products and automobiles.
Just recently, studiokurbos received the “Team of the Year 2021” award and the "German Design Award 22" in Gold by the German Design Council.
