India-based ePlane and its off-shoot company, Amber Wings, has launched Atva, a versatile compact hybrid VTOL drone, which aims to redefine aerial cargo transport, mapping and surveillance with eVTOL technology, reports the hindubusinessline.com.
The drone, incubated at IIT Madras, was launched recently at the Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 event, held at Air Force Station Hindan in Ghaziabad. Amber Wings is focused on developing UAVs (VTOL drones) as logistics and aerial imaging solutions, while ePlane is focused on passenger commutes.
While the ePlane Company continues its mission to build India’s first 2‑seater flying electric taxi for daily passenger commute, off-shoot, Amber Wings, has been developing Atva (formerly recognised as the ePlane e6).
Satya Chakravarthy, founder of The ePlane Company, commented, “The drone evolved with the vision of redefining aerial cargo transport, mapping and surveillance through unmatched eVTOL technology. Amber Wings will continue to scale the cargo VTOL product lines, capable of ferrying up to 50 and 100 kgs, respectively. The 50 kg payload variant was successfully test-flown early this year.” The team plans consecutive flight trials during October.
Please Watch Video
Chakravarthy explains that Amber Wings “bridges the mid-mile and last-mile cargo transport market segments, whereas ePlane aims to fulfil the last-mile passenger commute needs.”
Amber Wings is looking at selling its UAV fleet to optimise cargo transport and aerial camera-based applications (surveillance and mapping) for businesses. While ePlane is to operate as a flying taxi service, directly accessible by the masses.
He continues, “We are looking at collaborating with healthcare entities for transport of medical supplies, telehealth devices and the like. It could also be eCommerce deliveries and in terms of surveillance, it would be the oil and alternate energy entities, forestry, real-estate etc..”
Satya Chakravarthy
For more information
(News Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/)
