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E-volo, the German team that flew a manned, electric, 16-rotor multicopter last October, will launch a two-seater version this spring — and a commercial model will go on sale in 2013. Fall’s test flight only lasted 90 seconds (video below), but according to E-volo the multicopter is capable of flying for 20 to 30 minutes on a single charge.

Piloted by the physicist-cum-maniac Thomas Senkel, the E-volo Volocopter (VC 1) is basically a scaled up version of a remote-controlled robotic quadcopter or hexacopter. The multicopter obviously has to have space for a human, though — which as you can see in the picture above is a chair attached to a… space hopper.

Each of the 16 rotors is powered by its own lithium-ion battery, and a central computer translates the pilot’s controls into smooth, three-dimensional movement. By default, the multicopter just hangs there, and according to the pilot it is very easy to control. In recent weeks, both the state’s governor and the local mayor have visited the Karlsruhe eMobilitätszentrum, where the Volocopter is on display, and congratulated the E-volo team on their impressive, pioneering work.

The obvious advantage of a multicopter is safety: It has all the benefits of a helicopter, but no overhead rotor — so you can eject and/or parachute to safety. E-volo maintains that the Volocopter is easy to pilot — and indeed, none of the usual factors that make flight complicated (pitch, minimum speed, stall) are present with the Velocopter.

There are plenty of issues, though. First, lithium-ion batteries have excellent power density (power-to-weight), but E-volo will still struggle to increase flight time without a major battery breakthrough. Instead, E-volo suggests a hybrid system with batteries and an internal combustion engine, much like a Toyota Prius. The propellers are an issue too — they need to be protected, which adds weight. Adding a second seat (and another human) also adds a huge amount of weight. As weight goes up, the multicopter’s size and surface area increases (larger motors, larger/more propellers). As you can see in the concept images below, though, the E-volo team is actively working on all of these issues.

As for applications of a commercial multicopter (due in 2013!), well, the only limit is your imagination. They would be fantastic leisure craft, either for puttering around the local countryside or on safari. Imagine going to see Ankgor Wat or the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower, and being able to fly around it. Multicopters would make ideal taxis, too, or ambulances. Ultimately, a multicopter is just a posh jet pack — and who hasn’t dreamt of flying around with a jet pack?  There is no word on how much the commercial Volocopter will cost, but the parts are fairly inexpensive — we could be in for a pleasant surprise.