In a major step towards realising the dream of air taxis and transforming urban mobility in India, the country’s first flying taxi prototype, ‘Shunya’, has been unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.
Precision manufacturing firm Sona SPEED has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation to advance this initiative. Sarla Aviation is developing India’s most advanced electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, visited Sarla Aviation’s booth and expressed keen interest in the flying taxi prototype, describing it as a milestone in India’s journey towards sustainable and futuristic mobility.
Sona SPEED, known for its involvement in several Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space missions, will play a key role in revolutionising urban air mobility through this collaboration.
“This partnership marks a major step in Sona SPEED’s growth as a centre 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 MoU, Sona SPEED will leverage its advanced facilities in Karnataka to design and manufacture critical components for Sarla Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft, including motors and landing gear.
“Sona SPEED’s precision engineering expertise perfectly aligns with our vision for electric air taxis. This collaboration strengthens our mission to redefine urban mobility using cutting-edge eVTOL technology,” said Rakesh Gaonkar, CEO of Sarla Aviation.
The development highlights India’s ambitions in sustainable urban air mobility and highlights the power of partnerships in driving innovation.
Focused on creating eVTOL aircraft, Sarla Aviation aims to revolutionise urban transport with faster, cleaner, and more efficient solutions. The company plans to conduct test flights and develop additional prototypes, targeting a market launch by 2028.
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