In context
In August 2023, the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) sector was rapidly advancing from single-aircraft demonstrations toward multi-aircraft operations, a critical step for future urban air mobility. AutoFlight, a company with dual headquarters in Germany and China, had already set records for range and transition flights, making its latest achievement a notable marker of progress.
What was reported
AutoFlight successfully executed a world-first formation flight of three autonomous eVTOL aircraft in Shanghai, China. The flight involved three generations of its Prosperity I model, showcasing the company's rapid prototyping and manufacturing capabilities.
The company previously set a world record in February 2023 when a prototype covered 250 km on a single battery charge. Over the past 18 months, it also achieved the first full-scale eVTOL transition flight (January 2022) and released the first full-length eVTOL flight video (June 2022).
AutoFlight plans to evolve its prototypes into commercial products, with a cargo version slated for release in Asia the following year, and a passenger version to follow in subsequent years, aiming to meet the highest aviation safety standards.
“The formation flight is a testament to our commitment towards making aerial transport safe, sustainable, and accessible,” said Mark Henning, head of AutoFlight Europe.
Why it mattered
This achievement demonstrated that multiple autonomous eVTOL aircraft can operate in coordinated flight, a prerequisite for scalable air taxi services. It signaled progress toward integrating such aircraft into urban and regional transport systems, with implications for logistics and passenger mobility in manufacturing and industrial settings.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-08-06 · “AutoFlight makes history with world first formation flight of three autonomous eVTOL aircraft”