IIT-Madras Startup Develops Flying Taxi Prototype with 200 km Range
In a remarkable achievement, an IIT-Madras startup has unveiled a flying taxi prototype known as the “e200,” capable of traveling up to 200 kilometers on a single charge and carrying a payload of 50 kilograms per trip. This innovative creation has garnered significant attention in the engineering and aviation communities, showcasing the ingenuity of Indian engineers.
The e200 flying taxi is the brainchild of a startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M). The vehicle has the potential to revolutionize urban transportation by significantly reducing travel times, with the startup claiming it could make travel up to 10 times faster.
Key Features of the e200 Flying Taxi
Impressive Range: The e200 flying taxi offers a remarkable range of up to 200 kilometers on a single charge, making it suitable for various urban and short-distance travel needs.
Payload Capacity: It can carry a payload of up to 50 kilograms per trip, opening up possibilities for transporting goods, performing last-mile deliveries, and catering to industrial use cases.
Compact Design: The e200 has a 5×5-meter footprint and can accommodate two people, including a human pilot. Its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology allows it to take off and land vertically, offering greater flexibility in urban settings.
Speed: The startup claims that the e200 can complete a 60-minute car trip in less than 14 minutes, underscoring its potential to significantly reduce travel time.
Variants: The flying taxi will be available in two variants: cargo and daily intra-city commute, catering to various transportation needs.
Road to Commercialization
The e200 flying taxi is developed by a company named ePlane, and it was unveiled at Aero India in Bengaluru. While the startup aims to launch the e200 next year, it is important to note that the vehicle must first undergo regulatory approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator.
The startup envisions the e200 as a transformative mode of transportation that could replace conventional road taxis and even find applications in cargo and industrial sectors for last-mile and mid-mile deliveries. While the pricing details are yet to be disclosed, the e200’s impressive design and potential to revolutionize urban mobility have garnered significant attention and excitement.
As the electric aviation industry continues to evolve, innovations like the e200 flying taxi represent a promising step toward more efficient and sustainable urban transportation.
