Get ready for a groundbreaking development in India's transportation sector: the country is poised to welcome its inaugural electric air taxi as early as next year. This exciting revelation comes straight from Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the esteemed Mahindra Group, who recently confirmed the news. The eagerly awaited innovation stems from the pioneering efforts of ePlane, a venture spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Mahindra's announcement, accompanied by images of the prototype, heralds a new era in Indian aviation.
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In an official communication via his platform X, formerly Twitter, Mahindra revealed, "A startup nurtured within IIT Madras is in the process of developing an electric flying taxi set to debut around next year... IIT Madras has emerged as a globally renowned and dynamic hub for startups. With their contributions and the burgeoning presence of ambitious incubators across India, our nation is shedding its image of lacking true innovators."
The upcoming air taxi, as per reports, is slated to be a two-seater aircraft, promising seamless air travel for the masses in the foreseeable future. With a maximum range of 200 km, it is expected to maintain an average speed of 200 km/h, while cruising at a steady 160 km/h.
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Providing further details on the project, the Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras remarked, "Designed to facilitate up to 10 times faster intra-city commuting and cargo transportation, our flagship product aims to mitigate urban traffic congestion effectively," as cited by Teambhp.