On January 6,2020, helicopter manufacturing titan, Bell, revealed a full-scale mock-up of the second member of its innovative Nexus urban air mobility (UAM) family to journalists at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known as the Nexus 4EX, the second iteration of this conceptual air taxi has evolved somewhat since the original design, which is now referred to by Bell as the Nexus 6HX and was unveiled at CES 2019. The 4EX in the concept's name is representative of these major design changes: the '4' highlights the reduced number of ducted fans that will be used as the aircraft's propulsion system; the 'E' outlines the aim to provide it with an all-electric capability; and the 'X' stands for experimental. For comparison, the 4EX will feature four ducted fans, a longer wing and will be a true electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Nexus 6HX features six ducted fans and is expected to be powered by a hybrid-electric power train. Bell has also noted that the 4EX can be operated as both an eVTOL or a hybrid-electric VTOL.
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