India is a step closer to launching its first electric air taxi after aerospace startup The ePlane Company announced a strategic partnership with American technology leader Nvidia. Under this collaboration, the two companies will work together to develop the e200x, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Notably, the agreement does not involve any financial transaction and is focused purely on sharing technology and expertise.
As part of the partnership, ePlane will build a “digital twin” of the e200x using Nvidia’s Omniverse platform. This virtual replica of the aircraft will allow engineers to test flight rules, automation software, sensor integration, and complex mission scenarios in a simulated environment. Such testing is often extremely costly and risky in real-world conditions, making virtual simulation a crucial step in accelerating development.
Nvidia’s role will be central to the aircraft’s computing and simulation capabilities. The company’s IGX platform will be used as the in-flight computing system, handling critical applications onboard the air taxi. By running millions of kilometres of virtual flights, the digital twin can simulate dangerous scenarios such as bad weather, sensor failures, or potential collisions, helping the system learn and adapt before the aircraft ever takes to the skies.
Commenting on the partnership, ePlane founder and CTO Satya Chakravarti said the collaboration strengthens the company’s long-term aerospace vision. He emphasised that ePlane is not just building a single aircraft but developing an entire urban air mobility ecosystem. According to him, extensive simulation-based testing bridges the gap between the digital and physical worlds and significantly reduces real-world risks.
The project has already crossed an important milestone. As per reports, the first prototype of the e200x has been completed, with ground testing expected to begin in the coming months. Two more prototypes will be built before the aircraft is submitted for certification to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. DGCA officials based in Chennai are reportedly working closely with the company during this process.
Backed by IIT Madras, ePlane aims to address urban mobility challenges in traffic-heavy cities. Once testing and certification are complete, the startup plans to roll out electric air taxi services in major metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai, potentially transforming the way people commute in India’s crowded urban centres.
