Chennai-based The ePlane Company is developing what it calls India’s first electric air taxi, the e200x, using advanced simulation and computing technologies to accelerate development and enhance safety.
Digital twin for safer skies
The startup has created a highly detailed digital twin of the aircraft using Nvidia’s Omniverse platform. This virtual replica allows engineers to test flight dynamics, onboard sensors and emergency scenarios in a simulated environment before conducting real-world flights.
By running extensive simulations and logging millions of virtual flight kilometres, the company aims to identify and address potential risks early in the development cycle.
The e200x will also use Nvidia’s onboard computing systems to process data from cameras and radar in real time, supporting autonomous decision-making and enhanced operational safety.
Predictive maintenance and autonomy
Beyond testing, the digital twin is expected to function as a predictive maintenance tool. By mirroring real aircraft components in a virtual environment, engineers can detect early signs of wear or malfunction, reducing downtime and improving reliability.
Bakthakolahalan Shyamsundar, principal engineer for avionics systems and autonomy at The ePlane Company, said the virtual testing environment enables the aircraft to “learn” extensively before physical deployment.
According to him, the approach allows teams to explore rare or extreme scenarios digitally, refine algorithms and validate flight decisions without compromising safety.
Boost to urban air mobility
Urban air mobility is emerging as a key area of innovation globally, with electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to ease congestion in crowded cities.
Industry projections suggest air taxi fares in India could be slightly higher than premium ride-hailing services, aiming to balance affordability with convenience.
The e200x project represents a significant step in India’s push towards next-generation aviation technologies and domestic innovation in high-performance computing and autonomous systems.
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