The future of air mobility took a firm step forward with the successful maiden flight of the sixth-generation autonomous eVTOL developed by Wisk Aero, Boeing’s subsidiary specializing in pilotless aerial technologies. This milestone brings the company closer to making certified autonomous urban air transportation a reality in the United States.
The flight was conducted at the test facility in Hollister, California, where the Gen 6 completed vertical takeoff maneuvers. vertical takeoffand stabilized hover and hover maneuvers. These initial tests confirm the operability of the aircraft’s critical systems and mark the beginning of a rigorous validation phase under FAA oversight.
Autonomous eVTOL technology in the service of safety
Designed as a fully autonomous electric aircraft, the Gen 6 features human supervision from the ground by multi-vehicle operators. This model seeks to meet current commercial aviation standards, prioritizing operational safety through advanced sensing and navigation systems.
With more than 1,750 test flights accumulated over five previous generations, Wisk leaps toward its goal of operating in key cities such as Houston, Los Angeles and Miami. The test program will expand into complex maneuvers including longitudinal transitions and controlled turns, critical for safe urban operations.
An aircraft aiming for scalability
Wisk’s autonomous, 100% electric model represents a sustainable and scalable alternative for future air mobility. The certification process seeks not only to approve the design, but also to validate the feasibility of integrating these aircraft into existing airspace.
With this first flight, Wisk Aero reinforces its position as a pioneer in the development of autonomous eVTOLs. autonomous passenger eVTOLs and sets a key precedent in the advancement of safe and autonomous electric aviation.
Source and photo: Wisk Aero