Airbus Completes First Autonomous Air Taxi Test Flight

Airbus has successfully conducted a first test flight with Vahana, an autonomous flying vehicle for one person, which is to operate as an air taxi. The vehicle should be ready for production sometime in 2020.

The prototype, dubbed Alpha One, reached a height of five meters during its 53-second test flight before descending again. During this flight, the aircraft flew completely autonomously. A successful second test flight was also later conducted, about which Airbus has not disclosed further details.

A3, an Airbus subdivision in San Jose, is responsible for this project. The aim is to achieve a small, efficient, autonomous, electric flying vehicle that will mainly be used in urban areas, for short distances. The aircraft is intended to take off and land vertically.

The Alpha One is 6.2 meters wide, 5.7 meters long and has a weight of 745 kg. It was originally intended that the first test flight would take place at the end of 2017. The vehicle should be ready for production sometime in 2020 and should be operational in 2021.