IIT-Kanpur researchers and VTOL Aviation India Pvt Ltd have entered into a $2.2 Mn (INR 15 Cr) MoU to develop a prototype for a self-piloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) craft, which has potential to be used as a flying taxi or for air travel. On the technical collaboration, Ajoy Ghosh, Aerospace Engineering and the Flight Lab Head of IIT-Kanpur told The Print, “We will establish a proof of concept and identify the key technology areas. There will be over 100 students working on this.”
Further commenting on the project, which may span up to five years, Ghosh said, “The proposed craft will most likely use a ducted fan, much like commercial airplanes. It will be clean as it will use electric power.”
Ghosh added that he hopes the development of such a prototype would be revolutionary and help ease traffic congestion owing to the flexibility of such aircraft to take off from and land on any terrain.
