Airbus, Boeing work toward autonomous eVTOL operations

Airbus and Boeing reiterated their belief in autonomous air taxi service, asserting pilotless eVTOL aircraft will be more predictable, safer and less costly to operate. While Airbus is looking to certify its CityAirbus NextGen four-seat eVTOL as a piloted vehicle to start, the aerospace company plans to eventually move to autonomy when regulations allow for uncrewed air taxi service. Airbus ImageAirbus is seeking to certify its CityAirbus NextGen four-seat eVTOL by 2025 as a piloted vehicle, eventually moving to autonomy when regulations allow for uncrewed air taxi service. Boeing, on the other hand, has partnered with Wisk Aero, which is developing an autonomous eVTOL from the start. Ken Swartz ImageSpecifically, Boeing can assist Wisk in building aircraft with lightweight materials, he noted.