Increasing Acceptance

Safety is not just a regulatory requirement in Urban Air Mobility (UAM)—it is the foundation for public acceptance and trust. As air taxis move closer to real-world implementation, one message has become clear: people will only embrace this new mode of transportation if they feel safe. This is especially true for scenarios that passengers cannot directly control, such as unexpected technical failures or emergency landings.

We have approached this challenge from both a technical and societal perspective. As part of our research, a comprehensive user survey was conducted with over 330 participants, focusing specifically on the acceptance of air taxis. The results were unambiguous: crash safety emerged as one of the top concerns for potential users. Participants stated that their willingness to use an air taxi was closely tied to their confidence in the system’s ability to protect them in the event of an accident. It wasn’t just about technology—it was about trust.

These insights confirmed what we’ve long understood from working across multiple research projects in the field: without a clear and convincing approach to crash safety, even the most advanced air taxi system will struggle to gain public support. That’s why crash scenarios, protective cabin structures, and transparent safety communication are not optional—they are essential.