India unveils first flying taxi prototype at auto expo 2025

New Delhi: Marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward revolutionizing urban mobility, the country’s first flying taxi prototype, named ‘Shunya,’ was unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in the capital.

Precision manufacturing giant Sona SPEED has partnered with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the nation’s most advanced electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the Sarla Aviation booth at the expo, expressing strong interest in the flying taxi prototype. The unveiling is being hailed as a historic step toward sustainable and futuristic urban transportation in India.

Sona SPEED, known for contributing to multiple space missions for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will play a pivotal role in advancing this initiative. The partnership positions the company as a leader in driving the future of urban air mobility.

“This partnership is a major milestone in Sona SPEED’s growth as a hub for aerospace innovation. Together, we aim to create a cleaner, faster, and more efficient future for urban transportation,” said Chocko Valliappa, CEO of Sona SPEED.

Under the agreement, Sona SPEED will leverage its cutting-edge facilities in Karnataka to design and manufacture key components, such as motors and landing gear, for Sarla Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft.

“Sona SPEED’s precision engineering expertise perfectly aligns with our vision for electric flying taxis. This collaboration strengthens our mission to redefine urban mobility with state-of-the-art eVTOL technology,” added Rakesh Gaonkar, CEO of Sarla Aviation.

This collaboration highlights India’s growing ambition in sustainable urban air mobility, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in fostering innovation. Sarla Aviation is focused on creating faster, cleaner, and more efficient transport solutions through its eVTOL aircraft development.

The company has ambitious plans to commence test flights and build additional prototypes, aiming for a market launch by 2028.

The unveiling of ‘Shunya’ signals India’s commitment to pioneering advancements in urban air mobility and transforming the future of transportation.

With IANS inputs