Wisk Aero's Gen 6 aircraft is the world's first fully autonomous eVTOL air taxi. (Credit: Wisk Aero)

eVTOL Air Taxi With Four Seaters Unveiled By Wisk Aero

A new sixth-generation autonomous eVTOL aircraft was publicly revealed today by Wisk Aero. With a cruise speed of 120 knots and an altitude between 2,500 feet and 4,000 feet, the company's unpiloted Generation 6 aircraft can fly up to 90 miles and carry passengers.

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A vertical takeoff and landing is possible because the aircraft has 12 propellers, six of which can tilt. A plane's flight pattern changes from vertical to horizontal during cruise. The batteries can be fully recharged in 15 minutes, according to Wisk.

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As part of its research and development efforts to certify the Gen 6 aircraft, Wisk will continue to fly the fifth-generation Cora model it developed for research and development, which it has already flown more than 1,600 test flights with earlier technology demonstrators. Neither a date nor a name for the planned production aircraft have been announced, nor has it said when it intends to begin flying first examples.

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Wisk CEO Gary Gysin told reporters last month that the Gen 6 aircraft and systems are the most technologically advanced in this market. The transportation industry will be changed by this.

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During a demo flight at their Hollister Municipal Airport facility on September 19, 2022, Wisk's Cora eVTOL, the company's fifth-generation technology demonstrator, was pictured.

DESIGN CHANGES FROM CORA TO GEN 6

As compared to Wisk's two-seat Cora aircraft, the Gen 6 features several design upgrades. As well as a larger cabin that can comfortably accommodate twice as many passengers, the Gen 6 also has a raised wing and a 50-foot wingspan versus Cora's 36-foot wing span. 

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Sebastien Vigneron, Wisk senior vice president, said that raising the wing makes the aircraft more stable, which is more comfortable for passengers. The booms have been extended to move the propellers away from the passengers, which is safer both on the ground and in the air. As well as improving performance and reducing noise, we've introduced a new propeller design."

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A new tail design has also been added to the Gen 6 aircraft. The Gen 6 features a simpler cross tail than Cora, which has a boxy, twin-boom tail. A lighter aircraft and an optimized center of gravity lead to improved range and performance, according to Vigneron.

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“It's important to us to reduce the number of moving parts because fewer moving parts mean fewer points of failure, less wear and tear, more robustness, more reliability, less maintenance, and ultimately higher safety,” Vigneron said.

WISK'S AIR TAXIS FLYS AUTOMATICALLY

Multi-vehicle operators will monitor up to three simultaneous flights from a fleet operations center on the ground, instead of pilots on board controlling the aircraft. Remote hospitality personnel can be contacted in case of an emergency by pressing a button inside the aircraft. An operator of multiple vehicles can remotely direct an aircraft to divert or land early, if necessary.

Because all flight routes are predetermined, the aircraft won't rely on artificial intelligence to fly and navigate, according to Wisk's head of autonomy, Jonathan Lovegren. Basically, the aircraft will be programmed to operate under predictable conditions and to handle all scenarios and contingencies without having to use artificial intelligence in real-time. Preprogrammed algorithms will determine all decisions the aircraft makes.

The majority of functions on commercial airplanes today are performed by computers, so autonomy is about taking that one step further, Lovegren said. Using the same proven technologies that enable commercial flight today—like navigation systems, autopilots, and flight management systems—we are adding proprietary decision-making logic and algorithms and sensing capabilities to make the system even more automated with predictable deterministic outcomes.”

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Every seat in Wisk's Gen 6 eVTOL air taxi has its own touch-screen display, on which passengers can view a preflight safety demonstration, keep track of real-time flight information, and adjust environmental controls. Wireless phone chargers and multiple charging ports are also available on the aircraft. 

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EXPERIENCE OF PASSENGERS

Wisk conducts in-depth consumer research to provide the best possible customer experience. The company's product design director, Uri Tzarnotzky, said that prospective fliers go through an ever-evolving lineup of mockups and simulators, both in real life and in virtual reality. We keep the voice of the customer at the center of our engineering traits and decisions because of this approach."

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Wheelchairs and walkers can be accommodated on the aircraft, which is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. Passengers have access to safety instructions in multiple languages, including American Sign Language, on their personal display screens. Additionally, text on the screen can be enlarged or bolded for easier reading, and the display's colors can be adjusted to accommodate most forms of colorblindness.

Approximately 6 feet 4 inches (2 meters) tall passengers will be comfortable in each seat on the Gen 6. The Gen 6 won't have a height limit, so taller people will still be able to fly, albeit with less comfort. Before boarding the aircraft, passengers are required to self-report their weight and luggage weight. Smaller carry-on items, such as backpacks and purses, can be stored inside the cabin, while larger luggage items will be stored in the "frunk" -- a trunk located at the front of the aircraft.

Customers will also have access to free on-board Wi-Fi, multiple charging ports and wireless charging pads for their smartphones on Wisk's aircraft. Passengers can also control some cabin environment aspects, such as temperature and lighting, via their personal touch-screen displays. Similar to the flight tracking screens on today's commercial aircraft, the display will also show real-time flight information and a map.

At Wisk's Hollister, California facility, a Gen 6 aircraft is pictured during sunset. 

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PATH TO OPERATIONS

It may be the first to certify a fully autonomous eVTOL air taxi, but Wisk won't be the only one to begin operations. It's harder to certify an autonomous aircraft than an eVTOL with a pilot on board because of its autonomous nature.

As other eVTOL air taxi developers aim to have their piloted fleets operational from 2024, Wisk's autonomous aircraft could take several years longer to achieve certification. In addition, Gysin declined to reveal when the Gen 6 could attempt its first flight test. The company has not yet indicated when it expects to have its self-flying air taxis certified.

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We have already made good progress with the FAA on the certification of this all-electric self-flying, four-seat, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft," Vigneron said. As part of Wisk's G-2 issue paper, the FAA received Wisk's G-1 certification basis earlier this year, and Wisk is "heavily engaged" with the FAA.

A concept of operations was published last month by Wisk and Boeing, its primary investor. This document outlines a path for introducing uncrewed urban air mobility services within the NATS.

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Earlier this year, Boeing and Google co-founder Larry Page announced their intent to take the eVTOL aircraft innovator Kittyhawk out of business. Rich Report was told that Wisk will not be impacted by Kittyhawk's closure. 

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In 2011, a company called Zee Aero flew its first-generation eVTOL technology demonstrator, and Wisk's autonomous eVTOL technologies have been under development for more than a decade. After successfully transitioning from hover to wingborne flight, Zee Aero merged with Kittyhawk in 2018.

In the short time since the merger, Boeing has become Wisk's largest investor. Earlier this year, Boeing announced a $450 million investment in Wisk, but Wisk has not disclosed how much funding it has received from Boeing and other sources. 

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