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U.S‑based AIBOT, an innovator in eVTOL and drone technology, has become the first to successfully conduct a flight test at the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Centre at San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), under the newly established Californian Norton Test Range, reports a press release.
This trial reinforces AIBOT’s role in next-generation urban air mobility solutions. The demonstration validated the performance, safety and operational feasibility of its aiEVTOL technology within an airport environment. It also paves the way for expanded testing, including future Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
Under the leadership of Sean Cassidy, Head of AIBOT’s Regulatory and Safety, the company’s collaboration with the UAS Centre at SBD, “reflects its commitment to working with industry and regulatory stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of autonomous air mobility,” states the release.
Max Ma, President of AIBOT, commented, “This flight of our pre-production aircraft, which is set to launch next year, marks a major achievement for AIBOT and represents a crucial step toward our goal of launching commercial eVTOL operations.”
Max Ma
AIBOT is now preparing for the next phase of trials, which are to focus on expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope, refining autonomous navigation capabilities and further validating the aiEVTOL platform’s safety and efficiency. These upcoming tests will be used to gather the data necessary for regulatory approval and commercial readiness.
The company believes that low-altitude, autonomous flight operations utilising eVTOL systems represents the next major opportunity in the growing robotics and AI field.
The Norton Test Range’s recent opening is significant for California’s aim to maintain a leading role in emerging aviation tech. It provides a dedicated site for testing next-generation aircraft and is located in the greater Los Angeles area.
