Prototype of India’s first flying taxi ‘Shunya’ | Photo: Sarla Aviation
New Delhi: In a bid to realise the dream of air taxis and transform urban mobility in India, the country’s first flying taxi prototype, called ‘Shunya’, has been unveiled at the ‘Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025’ here.
The project is spearheaded by Sona SPEED, a renowned precision manufacturing firm, which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation to make this vision a reality. Sarla Aviation is at the forefront of developing India’s most sophisticated electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
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Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the Sarla Aviation booth at the expo. The minister expressed keen interest in the flying taxi prototype, recognising it as a pivotal step towards achieving sustainable and futuristic mobility in the country.
Collaboration for Aerospace innovation
Sona SPEED’s collaboration with Sarla Aviation signifies a major push towards innovation in urban air mobility. Sona SPEED, known for its contribution to several Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space missions, will now play a critical role in developing components for the eVTOL aircraft.
Chocko Valliappa, CEO of Sona SPEED, stated, “This partnership is a significant step in Sona SPEED’s evolution as a hub for aerospace innovation. Together, we aim to shape a cleaner, faster, and more efficient future for urban transportation.”
Under the terms of the MoU, Sona SPEED will leverage its advanced facilities in Karnataka to design and manufacture critical components such as motors and landing gear for Sarla Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft.
Redefining urban mobility
The partnership has been lauded as a crucial development in transforming India’s urban transport landscape. Sarla Aviation aims to introduce faster, cleaner, and more efficient transportation solutions with its cutting-edge eVTOL technology.
Rakesh Gaonkar, CEO of Sarla Aviation, commented, “Sona SPEED’s expertise in precision engineering perfectly complements our vision for electric flying taxis. This collaboration reinforces our mission to redefine urban mobility with cutting-edge eVTOL technology.”
Sarla Aviation has ambitious plans to initiate test flights and develop additional prototypes, targeting a commercial launch by 2028. This development underscores India’s growing aspirations in sustainable urban air mobility and highlights the importance of collaboration in driving innovation.
IANS