Wisk Aero has unveiled what it claims is the first self-flying, all-electric, four-passenger vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi.
The aircraft is the first candidate for type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an autonomous eVTOL, Wisk Aero said.
In April, Wisk Aero made the announcement it was developing a four-seat eVTOL air taxi, it’s sixth generation aircraft. The eVTOL combines autonomous technology and software with human oversight on the flights.
The four seat aircraft specifications include:
- 90 mile range
- 120 knot cruising speed
- 50 ft wingspan
- Altitudes of 2,500 ft to 4,000 ft above ground
The safety focus of having human oversight is part of Wisk’s overall strategy and the company said it will help to unlock the full potential of the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. The self-flying first approach includes:
- Leveraging technology that is available in more than 93% of automated pilot functions on today’s commercial flights.
- Sensors that help the aircraft to improve detect and avoid capabilities.
- Software that provides deterministic outcomes for better logic-driven decision making.
- Multiple supervisors that provide oversight on every flight to take over or intervene when needed.
