South Korea's MetroAir Unveils Multicruiser eVTOL with Patented Rimfoil Ducted Rotor Technology
South Korean aerospace startup MetroAir has announced the Multicruiser, a next-generation eVTOL aircraft featuring its proprietary Rimfoil ducted rotor system. The technology fully encases each rotor within an annular wing shroud, reducing aerodynamic drag by two-thirds while combining the low-speed maneuverability of a hexarotor with the cruising efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft. The Multicruiser is designed for high-density urban air mobility applications.
Highlights
- South Korean startup MetroAir announced the Multicruiser eVTOL, powered by its patented Rimfoil ducted rotor technology that fully encases each rotor in an annular wing shroud.
- The Rimfoil system reduces aerodynamic drag by two-thirds and completely suppresses tip vortices compared to conventional open-rotor configurations.
- The Multicruiser combines hexarotor low-speed maneuverability with fixed-wing cruising efficiency, targeting high-density urban air mobility scenarios.
- MetroAir plans a full UAM ecosystem including the Multicruiser aircraft, Hub vertiports, and AI-managed air corridors for urban airspace management.
- The enclosed rotor design minimizes safety risks to pedestrians and surrounding infrastructure, a key requirement for operating in dense urban environments.
South Korea's MetroAir Unveils Multicruiser eVTOL with Patented Rimfoil Ducted Rotor Technology
South Korean aerospace startup MetroAir has announced it is developing the Multicruiser, a next-generation protected eVTOL aircraft powered by the company's proprietary Rimfoil ducted rotor technology.
Rimfoil Ducted Rotor: A Dual Breakthrough in Safety and Efficiency
The Rimfoil system fully encases each rotor within an annular wing shroud, delivering two core advantages:
- Eliminating visual hazards: Significantly reduces the safety risks posed by exposed rotors in urban environments
- Generating wing-like lift: At cruising speed, the duct structure produces additional lift in the manner of a conventional wing, improving overall flight efficiency
MetroAir states that the Multicruiser combines the low-speed maneuverability of a hexarotor drone with the cruising efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft, addressing a performance gap present in existing electric aircraft.
Three Key Performance Metrics
MetroAir highlighted the Multicruiser's design philosophy in its announcement:
"Unlike conventional drones or electric aircraft, the Multicruiser is engineered so that neither hover nor cruise flight modes require compromise: two-thirds drag reduction, complete tip vortex suppression, and a safety-first design make it an ideal platform for high-density urban environments."
Specific performance highlights include:
- Two-thirds drag reduction: A substantial improvement in flight efficiency compared to conventional rotor configurations
- Tip vortex suppression: The ducted structure effectively contains airflow, reducing energy loss and noise
- Safety-first design: Fully enclosed rotors minimize potential risk to pedestrians and surrounding environments
Toward a Fully 3D Urban Mobility Platform
MetroAir's vision extends beyond a single aircraft to a complete urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem built around three core elements:
- Multicruiser aircraft: The aerial mobility vehicle
- Hub vertiports: Ground infrastructure nodes for vertical take-off and landing
- AI-managed air corridors: Artificial intelligence-driven airspace traffic management
The company states that this integrated system is designed to make aerial mobility not merely possible, but an inevitable part of everyday urban life.
Further Information
- MetroAir official website: https://metroair.kr
- Multicruiser product page: https://metroair.kr/#multicruiser
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