DBT Bureau
Pune, 20 Jan 2025
Sarla Aviation, an innovative aerospace startup specializing in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Aimed at revolutionizing urban transport in India, the company will introduce electric flying taxis in Bangalore by 2028 which will be eventually extended to Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and other major cities, marking a bold step towards sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.
Founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, Sarla Aviation prototype, named Shunya, is designed to accommodate up to six passengers and can carry a maximum load of 680 kg, making it the highest payload eVTOL in the market. With speeds reaching up to 250 km/h and optimized for short trips of 20-30 km, Shunya promises to significantly reduce travel times across congested urban areas. Offering a cost-effective solution, the company plans to offer rides at prices similar to premium cab services at first, with the goal of eventually making them as affordable as auto-rickshaw fares, making urban air mobility accessible to a much broader audience
“Shunya is more than a technological achievement, it embodies our vision to redefine urban mobility in India,” said Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation. “By addressing challenges like traffic congestion and pollution, we aim to unlock India’s economic potential while paving the way for a cleaner and more connected future. Our journey is deeply rooted in the ideals of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, as we work to create homegrown, world-class solutions that place India at the forefront of global aviation innovation.”
Sarla Aviation recently secured $10 million in Series A1 funding led by Accel, with participation from notable angel investors including Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. This funding will be instrumental in accelerating the development of their technology and establishing a state-of-the-art research and development center. In addition to passenger transport, Sarla Aviation plans to launch a free-of-cost air ambulance service aimed at providing rapid medical responses, addressing critical healthcare needs in urban environments.
