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seater including the pilot. We will start   We are actually exploring logistics   under aircraft and they are generally
         the fabrication of parts by June and finish   and medical deliveries with a few people,   classified as eVTOLs or miniature planes
         the first prototype by November. This   besides offering camera-based solutions.   and not classified as drones.
         prototype requires an elaborate certification   We are currently doing a lot of demos for    In the outside world, anything that
         and we have already applied for the   companies and signing MoUs so we can   goes past about 25 kgs (payload) is not
         certification process in December. We have   do paid pilots.        classified as a drone, whereas in India we
         submitted the ‘design organisation approval   We have not yet explored e-commerce   still call it a drone. As per the drone rules
         application’ and got accepted and so we are   because its biggest activity is in the   that came up in 2022, this one (eVTOLs)
         now eligible to apply for type certification.   ‘yellow zones’, which require permissions.   will still be operating under drone rules.
         The e200 will not carry cargo instead we   Currently, everything above 400 feet is all
         are developing the e100 that can carry 100   yellow zone and there are moves to push   ?  What is your take on the drone
         kgs of payload. So the e100 is essentially a   BVLOS operations there, but yellow zone   industry’s need for having a
         cargo version of the e200 without a pilot,   permissions have not yet been enabled by   charging ecosystem in place to boost its
         which is what we are working on right now.   the government. I think these are things   growth momentum?
         The e100 will come under drone rules and   that the civil aviation ministry and the   Except for the charging infrastructure,
         both the e200 and e100 are expected to be   DGCA (Directorate General of Civil   we pretty much have something going in
         operational by the end of the year.   Aviation) are working on.     most cities in the form of existing helipads,
                                                                             so we can start from there. Our goal is to
         ?   Do you have any partnerships with   ?  What is the difference between   actually land on rooftops of buildings or
             any logistics, pharma, or
                                               aircraft meant for Advanced Air
                                                                             frontages of apartments and complexes,
         e-commerce players in place? What   Mobility (AAM) and drones and what are   office spaces, and parking lots - those are
         investments are you looking at for the   the regulations surrounding both?  basically existing spaces. I wouldn't say we
         development of these drones and aircraft?  We have drones, eVTOLS and planes.   are avoiding the concept of vertiports but we
         We have raised about $6 million in capital   Advanced Air Mobility is a concept that   don’t need a helipad all the way. Most of the
         so far. We are currently in the market trying   tries to integrate all three. eVTOLS are   other companies around the world are not
         to look for $20 million. We have had an   meant to be servicing the UAM (urban   thinking about rooftop landings as much
         interest in partnerships primarily in terms   air mobility) sector and take larger   as we do and that's because we are the most
         of shoring up the supply chain or looking   payloads for cargo or people. Flying   compact eVTOL in the world at any size that
         at potential manufacturing partners which   people will have larger safety standards   we make. And we have aggressively pursued
         include existing leading automotive players.    than cargo, so they will actually come   that in addition to having a very slow speed.

          MAY - JUNE 2023                                                                                  LUA 21
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