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Volocopter
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Volocopter GmbH (formerly called E-Volo GmbH) is a German aircraft manufacturer based in Bruchsal (near Karlsruhe) and founded by Alexander Zosel and Stephan Wolf. The company specializes in the design of electric multirotor helicopters in the form of personal air vehicles, designed for air taxi use.[3][2] The CEO is Dirk Hoke and chairman Stefan Klocke.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]
Volocopter VC2
Volocopter 2X

The company flew the Volocopter VC1 and Volocopter VC2 technology demonstrators, followed by the two-seat Volocopter VC200 prototype. The VC1 was first flown on 21 October 2011.[3][2]

The two-seat project that became the Volocopter 2X started in 2013, evolved from early single-seat Volocopter VC2 prototype flown in 2011. The two seat prototype was designated as the VC-200 and the derived production model the 2X.[4][5]

An on-line fundraising effort in 2013 on the Seedmatch website raised €500,000 in 2 hours and 35 minutes, setting a new European Union record. The money was used to build the VC200 prototype.[6]

The aircraft entered serial production in April 2018 and will be built under contract by the German sailplane manufacturer DG Flugzeugbau.[7][8]

On 9 September 2019, Geely, which is also the parent company of Volvo Cars, Terrafugia and Lotus Cars, led a round of funding that raised $55 million in private investments for Volocopter.[9] In September 2020, Volocopter started flying pre-sales promotional trips for Volocity, the company's prospective electric air taxi service.[10]

On 21 October 2019, Volocopter unveiled its "world first air taxi airport", and the company also demonstrated the use of its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft around the Marina Bay vicinity of southern Singapore. The company also conducted a feasibility survey with Singaporean mega ride-hailing company Grab. The demonstration was well-received and supported by the Singapore government. The company worked closely together with various government authorities like MoT, CAAS and EDB to allow test flights for their 'air taxi' service in the area and to fly its first proposed flight route to Sentosa. The demonstration also shed light to promote greater public visibility on the new transportation service to come in the next few years. There was extensive media coverage of the flight testing and the demonstrator vertical airport that Skyports built in collaboration with Volocopter within the Marina Bay area in Singapore, and attracted many people to witness the test flight even though the weather was a little gloomy then. The eVTOL prototype airport is called the "Voloport". After the demonstration, the prototype was dismantled, and moved for redeployment at subsequent launches.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, by Nov 2023, it was announced that the launch of Volocopter’s air taxi operations in Singapore had been put on hold indefinitely, due to lack of ability to secure local partners who can share the burden of funding the technology involved.[22]

In January 2021, the company confirmed that the ADAC had reserved two of its VoloCity aircraft for operational testing in 2023.[23]

Also in January 2021, the company announced that the FAA had accepted its application to concurrently validate the European Union Aviation Safety Agency type certification it expects secure within the next three years. In the same announcement, the company claimed it was exploring launching Volocity within the United States to provide intra-city air taxi services in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.[24]

In 2022, Volocopter raised $170 million in funding to launch its first air taxi services.[25]

In October 2022 demonstration flights were performed also in Italy, in a temporary vertiport near Rome Fiumicino airport, as preparation for an intended airtaxi service to downtown Rome during the 2025 Jubilee. [26]

In 2023, VoloCity hoped it would be flying athletes for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris[27] but that did not happen as it had not obtain the certification for the engine.[28]

In September 2023, the Bristow Group announced that it had ordered two Volocopter VoloCity eVTOLs with an option to purchase 78 more. The helicopter company plans use the VoloCitys to establish a commercial passenger and cargo service in the US and UK.[29]

On November 13, 2023, the company flew its Volocopter 2X in New York, marking the aircraft's first flight in the city. The demonstration took place at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) as part of an announcement by the city of its intention to electrify the facility.[30]

On 30 December 2024, Volocopter filed for insolvency as the company was unable to maintain proper funding to continue operations. The company will remain in operation during the proceedings.[31]

Products

[edit]
VoloCity
VoloPort
VoloDrone

Summary of all products designed and built by Volocopter GmbH:

eVTOL aircraft

Vertical take off and landings eVTOL aircraft specialised airport

Drones

Digital products

Research

[edit]

At the EfeuCampus in Bruchsal, Volocopter is testing with partners such as KIT, SEW Eurodrive or Schenker on emission free and autonomous for urban freight logistics. The Living lab is funded by the European Union and the state Baden-Württemberg.[32]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Volocopter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Volocopter GmbH is a German company that designs, develops, and manufactures electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for , focusing on safe, quiet, and emission-free solutions for passenger and cargo transport. Founded in 2011 by engineers Alexander Zosel, Stephan Wolf, and Thomas Senkel in , , the company emerged from a student project at the aimed at advancing electric aviation. On October 21, 2011, Volocopter achieved a milestone by conducting the world's first manned flight of a fully electric multicopter, the VC1 prototype, marking the inception of practical eVTOL technology. Volocopter has developed multiple generations of aircraft, including the fourth-generation two-seat VoloCity with 18 rotors for short urban trips, the VoloRegion capable of carrying one pilot and up to four passengers for regional connectivity, and the VoloDrone for cargo delivery, all powered by battery-electric to achieve in-flight CO2 and emissions. The company's aircraft are engineered for low noise, remaining inaudible at 120 meters in urban environments, addressing key barriers to inner-city operations. Key achievements include receiving Design Organisation Approval from the (EASA) in 2019, the first for an developer, and conducting demonstration flights in major cities such as (2019), (2019), and during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Volocopter's VoloCity is on track for EASA type certification, with commercial passenger services targeted for 2026 in and beyond, supported by the AI-driven VoloIQ platform for built on . In November 2025, the company announced plans for Europe's first sandbox program in 2026 to test VoloCity and VoloXPro aircraft for operational readiness. Facing financial challenges, Volocopter filed for in January 2025 but was acquired in March 2025 by China's through its subsidiary for €10 million, securing its operations and accelerating development toward four variants in service by 2030. This reorganization maintains Volocopter's in while integrating resources for global expansion.

History

Founding and Early Prototypes

Volocopter was founded in 2011 in Bruchsal, Germany, by engineers Stephan Wolf, Alexander Zosel, and Thomas Senkel, who focused on developing multicopter technology for manned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The trio, with backgrounds in software engineering and physics associated with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, began as a small team experimenting with drone-inspired concepts to demonstrate the feasibility of safe, autonomous manned flight. What started as a hobby project—initially involving attaching drone motors to a tethered yoga ball for stability tests—quickly evolved into a structured venture aimed at commercializing electric multicopters. The company's first prototype, the single-seat , marked a pivotal with its development in 2011. Early testing included unmanned configurations, leading to the world's first manned untethered flight of an electric multicopter on October 21, 2011, piloted by Thomas Senkel in ; the flight lasted approximately 90 seconds and demonstrated stable hover capability using 16 rotors powered by lithium-polymer batteries. This achievement, captured in a video that garnered over a million views, validated the core multicopter architecture and shifted the project from experimental to viable innovation. Building on the , Volocopter advanced to the two-seater VC200 prototype in 2013, securing €1.2 million through a record-breaking European campaign on Seedmatch—reaching €500,000 in just over two hours—to fund its design and testing. The VC200 featured 18 rotors for enhanced redundancy and payload capacity, with an emphasis on certification as an ultralight aircraft. Its first manned flight occurred on March 30, 2016, piloted by Alexander Zosel at an airfield in , lasting several minutes and confirming the scalability of the technology for passenger transport. This progression from the to the VC200, supported by initial seed funding, solidified Volocopter's transition to a commercial enterprise focused on .

Funding and Expansion

Volocopter's early financial backing began with a record-breaking campaign in 2013, raising €1.2 million through the Seedmatch platform in just three days, which supported initial development efforts. The company secured its Series C funding round starting in 2019 with a first closing of €50 million (approximately $55 million), led by Chinese automotive giant , marking a significant boost for scaling operations. This round was later extended in 2020 to €87 million with investments from logistics firm DB Schenker and Japanese insurers Sumitomo and MS&AD Ventures. In 2022, Volocopter raised $170 million in the first signing of its Series E round, led by South Korean investor WP Investment, with participation from and Atlantia, achieving a of $1.7 billion and a of approximately $1.87 billion. A second signing in the same round added $182 million later that year, bringing the total for Series E to over $350 million. By 2024, Volocopter had raised approximately $621 million in total equity funding from a diverse group of investors, including (via Daimler), , , , and , enabling accelerated commercialization in . This capital supported strategic expansions, such as the initiation of serial production for the in 2018 through a with German firm . Headquartered in , , near , Volocopter established dedicated production facilities at Bruchsal Airport, which were fully operational by 2023 for final assembly and testing of aircraft. The company's workforce expanded significantly during this period, growing to over 400 employees by 2023 across offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and international locations, reflecting its push toward global operations. These funding milestones facilitated Volocopter's strategic pivot toward urban air mobility commercialization, including investments in certification processes, infrastructure partnerships, and market entry preparations in cities like Paris and Singapore.

Key Demonstrations and Milestones

Volocopter achieved its first international demonstration with a manned flight of the VoloCity air taxi over Singapore's Marina Bay on October 22, 2019, marking the company's debut in Asia and showcasing the aircraft's ability to operate in a dense urban environment. The two-minute flight, with a safety pilot onboard, hovered at low altitudes and demonstrated safe integration with existing airspace, validating the multicopter's stability and noise profile for urban air mobility applications. In , Volocopter conducted a significant manned flight at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport on August 29, 2019, integrating the VoloCity into both traditional and unmanned systems for the first time at a major airport. This demonstration highlighted the aircraft's compatibility with commercial aviation infrastructure, performing a controlled takeoff, hover, and landing without disrupting ongoing operations. Building on this, Volocopter received Design Organization Approval (DOA) from the (EASA) in December 2019, becoming the first developer to secure this certification milestone, which enables independent design and modification of certified aircraft components. Further European progress included a crewed demonstration flight in on October 6, 2022, at Rome's , where the VoloCity 2X completed a five-minute circuit at 40 meters altitude and 40 km/h, operating from the country's inaugural vertiport. This event underscored Volocopter's advancements in vertiport integration and low-noise operations in a busy setting. In 2024, Volocopter conducted test flights during the Paris Olympics, including an flight over the Palace of Versailles on August 10, despite certification delays preventing passenger services. These demonstrations advanced preparations for in . Across the Atlantic, the company expanded demonstrations with its first crewed flight in on November 13, 2023, at the , where the VoloCity 2X performed a short test over the , demonstrating safe operations in one of the world's most congested urban environments. This flight, conducted in coordination with local authorities, affirmed the aircraft's potential for high-density city integrations. Volocopter also secured key orders validating commercial interest, including a reservation from Germany's Luftrettung for two VoloCity aircraft announced on December 15, 2020, aimed at future emergency medical service applications. In September 2023, Bristow Group placed a firm order for two VoloCity eVTOLs, with options for up to 78 more, to support services in the U.S. and U.K. Pre-certification efforts advanced with the U.S. (FAA) accepting Volocopter's application for concurrent validation on December 22, 2020—announced in January 2021—allowing parallel pursuit of EASA and FAA approvals to expedite U.S. market entry. These milestones collectively demonstrated the maturity of Volocopter's technology through real-world validations and regulatory progress.

Insolvency and Recovery

In late 2024, faced severe financial difficulties, leading to the filing of an application for proceedings at the Local Court on December 26, 2024. The company cited acute cash shortages and an inability to secure additional funding to sustain operations, despite having raised approximately $621 million in total equity investment over its history. Provisional proceedings commenced in January 2025, providing a temporary framework to protect assets while seeking investors or buyers, as the initial pre- phase had expired by February 28, 2025. The crisis culminated in a buyout from in March 2025 by China's , the parent company of , for €10 million ($11 million). This acquisition transferred Volocopter's key assets, including its and ongoing projects, to a newly formed , with integration into Diamond's operations based in , . The deal resolved the transition to regular proceedings by the end of March 2025, averting full . Under the new ownership, Volocopter announced the resumption of its certification efforts for the VoloCity aircraft in June 2025, targeting (EASA) type certification by 2026. The period had caused a temporary halt in non-essential activities, including significant layoffs that reduced the workforce from around 500 to just over 180 employees. However, the core engineering and development team was retained to preserve institutional knowledge and advance key technologies. Post-acquisition progress included an October 2025 announcement targeting four variants in service by 2030, and on November 18, 2025, plans for Europe's first sandbox program launching in 2026 to test VoloCity and VoloXPro operations.

Products and Services

Passenger Aircraft

Volocopter's passenger aircraft lineup focuses on vehicles tailored for urban and regional mobility, emphasizing , low , and zero-emission operations. The company's primary models, the VoloCity and VoloRegion, employ distributed electric to enable efficient short- to medium-range flights, integrating multirotor designs for vertical lift with streamlined for forward flight. These aircraft are engineered to complement existing urban systems, reducing congestion through on-demand services. The VoloCity is a compact, two-seater optimized for intra-city travel, featuring 18 fixed-pitch rotors powered by electric motors and lithium-ion batteries that support rapid swapping for minimal downtime. It achieves a maximum of 100 km/h and a cruise speed of 90 km/h, with an operational range of approximately 20 km under typical conditions including safety margins for factors like and . Designed specifically for short urban hops, such as airport-to-downtown routes, the VoloCity prioritizes accessibility and quiet performance, operating at noise levels comparable to a . As an evolution for broader connectivity, the VoloRegion is a larger lift-and-cruise variant accommodating up to four passengers, utilizing six electric rotors for vertical takeoff and two propulsion fans for efficient forward flight. This configuration enables a range of up to 100 km and a cruise speed of 180 km/h, with a maximum speed exceeding 250 km/h, making it suitable for inter-city and suburban routes that extend beyond dense urban cores. The battery-electric system ensures emission-free travel, while the design incorporates large windows for passenger comfort and enhanced visibility during regional journeys. Post-acquisition by Diamond Aircraft in March 2025, Volocopter expanded its passenger lineup to include the VoloXPro, a piloted ultralight variant of the VoloCity designed for (EMS) and personal transport, with a targeted entry into service in mid-2026. Additionally, the VoloUrban, aimed at urban operations with enhanced capacity, is planned for 2028. Both the VoloCity and VoloRegion rely on distributed architectures, distributing power across multiple electric motors to enhance and stability. Development of the VoloCity has advanced to serial production approval, with ongoing certification efforts targeting (EASA) type certification in 2026, paving the way for commercial operations in 2026; the VoloRegion prototype achieved its first flight in 2022 and remains in scaled testing toward a 2030 entry into service. These models have been demonstrated in controlled flights, including urban showcases, to validate their performance in real-world scenarios.

Cargo and Logistics Solutions

Volocopter has developed the VoloDrone as its primary unmanned drone, designed for heavy-lift operations in urban and environments. This fully electric, multicopter aircraft features 18 rotors and can transport a of up to 200 kg over a distance of 40 km, with autonomous flight capabilities enabled through advanced software and sensors. The VoloDrone's design emphasizes , allowing it to accommodate standardized ISO containers for small , which facilitates adaptation to various freight requirements without structural modifications to the . Targeted at last-mile , the VoloDrone supports emission-free urban , reducing reliance on traditional ground vehicles in congested areas. It integrates seamlessly with ground-based systems, such as cargo bikes and mobile vertiports on trailers, to enable efficient end-to-end delivery chains. Prototypes have undergone testing for time-sensitive applications, including medical supply deliveries and simulations, demonstrating reliable payload handling during public flights and deconfliction maneuvers. The VoloDrone shares core design principles, such as electric propulsion and safety redundancies, with Volocopter's passenger aircraft models, allowing for overlapping pathways. Its applications extend to sectors like infrastructure inspection and public utilities, but the focus remains on sustainable cargo solutions that address urban delivery challenges.

Infrastructure and Digital Systems

Volocopter's infrastructure ecosystem centers on the Voloport, a modular vertiport designed specifically for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations. The Voloport features a compact footprint of approximately 25 meters by 25 meters, utilizing prefabricated materials for rapid deployment on land, sea, or atop existing structures. It includes essential facilities such as automated charging stations for eVTOL aircraft, passenger lounges with security and boarding areas, and integrated safety systems like firefighting and emergency rescue equipment. The design emphasizes efficiency and scalability, allowing for single-level or multi-story configurations to accommodate urban constraints while ensuring a seamless passenger experience with consistent branding. A full-scale prototype of the Voloport was unveiled and demonstrated in Singapore in 2019, in collaboration with architectural firm GRAFT and engineering partners Arup and Bayards Aluminium Constructies, marking the first such infrastructure for air taxi services. Complementing the physical infrastructure, Volocopter's VoloIQ serves as the digital backbone for its (UAM) operations, built as an AI-powered platform hosted on . Developed in partnership with Industry Solutions and announced in 2022, VoloIQ functions as a comprehensive operating system that interconnects , vertiports, and ground services through secure . Key capabilities include for real-time monitoring of eVTOL vehicles, traffic optimization to minimize congestion in urban , and integration with broader UAM ecosystems via digital twins and airspace simulations. The platform also handles autonomous routing algorithms for efficient flight paths, along with advanced analytics for , booking, scheduling, and performance logging, ensuring safe and reliable operations across passenger and cargo fleets. By leveraging Azure's and features, VoloIQ enables Volocopter to process vast amounts of operational while maintaining compliance with standards. These systems integrate to form scalable networks tailored for dense urban environments, supporting both passenger via like the VoloCity and solutions through drone operations. Volocopter's approach emphasizes modular expansion, with Voloports deployable in networks connected by VoloIQ's centralized analytics to optimize routes and across cities. This supports hybrid operations, where passenger flights share and charging resources with deliveries, fostering efficient UAM growth without extensive new builds. For instance, trial integrations in locations like have demonstrated the feasibility of linking multiple Voloports for coordinated service. Overall, the combined framework prioritizes sustainability and adaptability, enabling Volocopter to scale from initial demonstrations to city-wide networks.

Technology and Design

Aircraft Architecture

Volocopter's eVTOL aircraft employ a multicopter configuration characterized by 18 fixed-pitch rotors arranged in two concentric rings on a circular beam structure, providing inherent redundancy and stability through distributed propulsion. This lift-cruise design relies on differential variations in motor speeds for control and maneuvering, eliminating the need for tilting mechanisms or complex transition systems common in other eVTOL architectures. The arrangement ensures that the loss of multiple rotors does not compromise flight safety, as the remaining propulsion units can maintain hover and controlled descent. The utilizes lightweight carbon fiber to minimize structural weight while enhancing rigidity and aerodynamic efficiency, enabling extended range and capacity within battery constraints. These materials form the primary and beam components, contributing to an overall empty weight of approximately 700 kg for the VoloCity model. The also supports corrosion resistance and ease of at scale, aligning with Volocopter's production goals of over 50 units annually as of 2023. Following the acquisition by via Diamond Aircraft in March 2025, development continues with resumed certification efforts targeting commercial operations in 2026. The VoloCity exemplifies the layout with a rim diameter of 11.3 meters including and an overall height of 2.7 meters, accommodating an enclosed cabin for two occupants with panoramic windows for visibility and protection. Each measures 2.3 meters in diameter, optimizing lift generation in urban environments. This architecture is scalable across Volocopter's model lineup, such as the VoloRegion, which uses a with six and two propellers for longer-range missions.

Propulsion and Power Systems

Volocopter's utilize a distributed electric system featuring 18 independent electric motors, each paired with a fixed-pitch to enable vertical takeoff, landing, and efficient forward cruise. This configuration provides redundancy and precise , with the motors collectively delivering a maximum power output of 152 kW to support operations. Integrated seamlessly into the 's lightweight carbon fiber frame, the setup optimizes weight distribution for stability and performance. The power systems rely on nine modular packs, offering a total energy capacity of 14.4 kWh, where each pack independently supplies two motors for enhanced . These batteries enable flight durations of approximately 20 to 30 minutes, sufficient for typical short urban routes of approximately 20 km. Turnaround is achieved through a mechanism that replaces packs in under 5 minutes or fast charging in about 40 minutes using external stations. Sustainability is a core aspect of the design, with the all-electric propulsion ensuring zero direct emissions of CO2, NOx, or other pollutants during operation. Noise levels are notably low at 65 dB(A) when hovering at 75 meters, significantly quieter than traditional helicopters and conducive to urban integration. This energy-efficient architecture, with its focus on modularity and low environmental footprint, positions Volocopter's systems as scalable for widespread urban air mobility deployment.

Safety and Autonomy Features

Volocopter's aircraft designs, particularly the VoloCity urban air taxi, incorporate extensive redundancy systems to ensure fail-safe operation during flight. The VoloCity features 18 rotors powered by distributed electric propulsion, providing inherent redundancy such that the loss of a single rotor or motor does not compromise overall flight stability. All critical systems, including electric motors, batteries, avionics, and displays, are duplicated to maintain functionality in the event of a failure, aligning with the high reliability standards required for urban air mobility. Additionally, the aircraft includes primary and backup flight control computers to handle control inputs redundantly. For emergency scenarios, a ballistic recovery parachute is integrated, deployable to enable a controlled descent if propulsion or flight controls are severely compromised. The features in Volocopter's passenger aircraft emphasize (specifically fly-by-light) control systems, which transmit pilot commands optically for enhanced reliability and reduced weight compared to traditional wiring. This setup allows for pilot-optional modes in certain operations, such as automatic altitude and attitude control, position hold, and landing assistance, enabling semi-autonomous flight segments while keeping a human pilot in the loop for urban routes. Sensor integration supports these capabilities, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, sensors, manometers for sensing, GPS for , and sense-and-avoid systems to detect obstacles and maintain safe separation. These elements facilitate Level 3-like conditional , where the system handles dynamic urban environments under pilot supervision, though full certification for such operations remains in progress. Volocopter's designs align closely with the (EASA) Special Condition for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (SC-VTOL) standards, which mandate safety levels equivalent to for powered-lift aircraft. Compliance efforts focus on rigorous system testing for and , ensuring no single failure results in catastrophic outcomes. The human-machine interface (HMI) is a key component, featuring intuitive controls and displays integrated with the fly-by-light system to support pilot training and operational oversight. Partnerships with training providers like CAE emphasize HMI familiarization through simulators and practical sessions, preparing pilots for eVTOL-specific interactions as required under EASA guidelines.

Operations and Partnerships

Certification Efforts

Volocopter's certification efforts have centered on obtaining airworthiness approvals from key regulatory bodies, primarily the (EASA) and the (FAA), to enable commercial operations of its VoloCity aircraft. In December 2019, Volocopter became the first developer to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from EASA, allowing the company to independently its designs in compliance with European standards. This milestone laid the groundwork for subsequent approvals, including Production Organisation Approval () in 2021, which was extended in 2024 to support serial production of the VoloCity. In alignment with EASA's Special Condition for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (SC-VTOL) framework, established in 2019, Volocopter advanced its type application process by late 2022, focusing on demonstrating compliance through rigorous testing protocols. The company's engagement with the FAA began in parallel to facilitate U.S. market entry, with the agency accepting Volocopter's bilateral validation approach under 14 CFR 21.17(b) in February 2021, enabling concurrent approval based on the EASA . This validation leverages ongoing FAA special conditions for powered-lift aircraft, which address unique challenges such as , redundancy, and vertical flight operations, ensuring harmonized standards across jurisdictions. Volocopter's features, including redundant systems and automated flight controls, have been integral to meeting these regulatory requirements by mitigating risks in urban environments. Key milestones in the certification timeline include the completion of ground vibration testing for the VoloCity in March 2024, conducted in partnership with the (DLR), which verified structural integrity under operational loads. However, Volocopter's filing in December 2024 delayed progress, as financial constraints halted some testing activities. Following its acquisition by Diamond Aircraft's parent company Wanfeng in March 2025, the company recovered operational stability, resuming efforts with a revised target for EASA type in 2026 and testing in the same year. This rebound has positioned Volocopter to accelerate audits, with 75% of EASA-required reviews completed by December 2024 prior to the impact.

Commercial Deals and Trials

Volocopter has pursued commercial deals to establish its in markets. In February 2025, the company entered a long-term agreement with French operator Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services for the delivery of two VoloCity , enabling the launch of electric services in once (EASA) certification is obtained. Earlier partnerships include a September 2023 firm order from Bristow Group for two VoloCity s, with options for an additional 78, to support operations in the United States and . In December 2020, German air rescue organization Luftrettung placed an order for two VoloCity to conduct operational trials for , with research flights scheduled to begin in late 2024. A significant deal involves Saudi Arabia's project, where Volocopter formed a in December 2021 to design and operate a public network, including an order for 10 VoloCity passenger aircraft and 5 VoloDrone cargo variants for integrated and logistics services. However, the rollout of passenger operations has been delayed to 2026 amid certification hurdles and funding difficulties following the company's acquisition by a Chinese investor group. Volocopter's trials have demonstrated its technology in key regions. The company conducted its inaugural manned eVTOL flight in Asia during a 2019 urban air mobility showcase over Singapore's Marina Bay, highlighting potential for short-haul passenger transport. Plans for operational integration of VoloCity air taxis during the Paris 2024 Olympics were postponed due to delays in motor certification. In Saudi Arabia, test flights in the Neom region since 2023 have paved the way for freight trials using VoloDrone aircraft to support logistics in the zero-emission development. In November 2025, Volocopter announced plans to launch Europe's first sandbox program in 2026, enabling controlled testing of VoloCity air taxis and VoloXPro emergency medical service variants in urban settings to validate operations, , and in with European authorities and stakeholders. The company's market strategy emphasizes deployment in and , leveraging s for and integration. Collaborations with Skyports have advanced vertiport networks, including a prototype mobile hub in in 2019, while a 2020 with Grab explores embedding services into Southeast Asian ride-hailing ecosystems. These initiatives depend on EASA type certification, anticipated by late 2026 for VoloCity entry into service.

Training and Operational Readiness

Volocopter has partnered with Euro Flight Test (EFT), an EASA-certified flight school, through a signed in September 2025 to develop and deliver specialized pilot programs. These programs include simulator-based using high-fidelity full-flight simulators compliant with European CS-25 standards, as well as practical focused on eVTOL-specific challenges such as remote drone operations and hands-on . Ground-based familiarization modules cover eVTOL technology, systems, and operational procedures, preparing pilots for seamless integration into environments. Operational readiness extends to air traffic management through VoloIQ, Volocopter's AI-powered digital platform that integrates with existing and UTM systems to optimize flight paths, , and real-time operations. VoloIQ also supports vertiport operations by enabling efficient coordination for takeoff, landing, and turnaround procedures, ensuring scalable infrastructure deployment. To maintain fleet reliability, Volocopter integrates the for configuration traceability, , and lifecycle management across expanding fleets. Autonomy features in Volocopter's simplify pilot workloads by automating routine tasks, which helps streamline requirements while prioritizing human oversight for safety-critical phases. Full operational capability, including EASA type certification, is targeted for late 2026, with commercial services launching in 2027 to support initial fleet scalability in urban settings.

Research and Development

Collaborative Projects

Volocopter has pursued joint research initiatives with academic institutions and industry partners to advance autonomous and sustainable , particularly in applications. A prominent example is the EfeuCampus project at the site in , where Volocopter collaborates with the (KIT), SEW-Eurodrive, and to explore autonomous urban using emission-free cargo drones. This lighthouse initiative, funded by the through EFRE programs and the state of via RegioWIN initiatives totaling around 20 million euros, establishes a real-world on a former military site to simulate last-mile freight delivery in dense urban settings. The focus includes integrating multicopter drones with ground-based autonomous systems for efficient, zero-emission transport. In addition to EfeuCampus, Volocopter partnered with Microsoft in 2022 to develop VoloIQ, an AI-driven cloud platform for optimizing aerospace operations, including fleet management and predictive maintenance for urban air mobility. Early collaborations with Geely Technology Group (2019–2024), initiated through a 2019 investment and formalized in a 2021 joint venture, supported advancements in power systems and battery integration for eVTOL aircraft. Additionally, as of 2025, Volocopter's APAC team is exploring R&D projects with local academic institutions to adapt eVTOL technologies for regional markets. These efforts have yielded prototypes such as the VoloDrone heavy-lift variant, capable of transporting up to 200 kg emission-free over 40 km, with flight tests conducted between 2020 and 2024 providing critical data on deconfliction, handling, and urban integration to inform Volocopter's ongoing processes. Such outcomes tie directly to Volocopter's product lineup, enhancing for logistics applications.

Future Innovations and Sustainability

Volocopter's innovation roadmap emphasizes the gradual integration of advanced technologies to enhance (UAM), with a staged approach to introducing autonomous flight capabilities that builds on current piloted operations. The company plans to certify and deploy four distinct types by 2030, including variants like the VoloXPro for specialized missions, enabling scalable operations across diverse urban environments. In November 2025, Volocopter announced plans for Europe's first sandbox program in 2026 to test VoloCity and VoloXPro in real-world scenarios. Additionally, Volocopter is exploring powertrains as a complementary for future applications beyond battery-electric systems, potentially extending range for longer missions while maintaining electrification's core benefits. Following the 2025 acquisition by , Volocopter is integrating with Diamond-led projects exploring hydrogen-electric hybrid powertrains for extended range in applications. Sustainability remains central to Volocopter's vision, with driving carbon-neutral operations through zero-emission flights that eliminate CO2, , and other pollutants during operation. The company targets net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, aligning with global aviation goals, and incorporates technologies that achieve approximately 65 dB(A) at 75 meters during hover—significantly quieter than traditional helicopters—to minimize urban environmental impact. Through its VoloIQ ecosystem, Volocopter aims to integrate services with infrastructures, fostering zero-emission mobility networks that optimize and use in megacities. Looking ahead, Volocopter anticipates EASA type in 2026, paving the way for commercial launches in 2026. This growth supports broader environmental objectives, including contributions to the EU's climate-neutral aviation ambitions under frameworks like the , by replacing short-haul ground transport with efficient electric alternatives and participating in regulatory groups shaping sustainable UAM standards. Lessons from ongoing collaborative efforts, such as noise testing, inform these advancements to ensure safe, eco-friendly scaling.

References

  1. https://www.volocopter.com/en/company
  2. https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/business/volocopter-a-revolution-in-urban-mobility
  3. https://evtol.news/volocopter-voloconnect
  4. https://www.volocopter.com/en/newsroom/manned-first-flight-writes-aviation-history
  5. https://www.volocopter.com/en/air-mobility
  6. https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/volocopter-targets-four-evtol-aircraft-types-in-service-by-2030-as-diamond-takeover-bears-fruit/164774.article
  7. https://www.volocopter.com/
  8. https://raoglobal.org/insights/velocopter-for-santa
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