Feature-Driven Specification of VTOL Air-Taxis with the Use of the Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) Methodology CUBE

Ground-bound transport systems in major cities are increasingly encountering their limits. Vertical Take-Off and Landing systems, in short VTOL systems, possibly autonomous and electrified, are a promising way to utilize urban space for public transportation. In this context, the application of the Compositional Unified system-Based Engineering (CUBE) methodology, enables the use of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to develop suitable VTOLs. This methodology can be used to move from abstract artifacts to concrete architecture and from system to subsystem development. In this paper, the CUBE methodology is presented using a feature-driven specification to demonstrate its general applicability. The model-based description of the System of Interest (SoI, i.e., the VTOL system) from an abstract use case to a technical architecture is exemplified using three features. This methodology approaches the creation of system- and feature-based models with a tailored level of abstraction to better manage complexity.