Wisk unveils sixth-generation self-flying eVTOL

Wisk Aero (Mountain View, Calif., U.S.) has revealed its Generation 6, self-flying, all-electric, four-passenger vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi with an airframe made up almost entirely of carbon fiber. As Wisk’s go-to-market aircraft, Generation 6 combines autonomous technology and software, human oversight of every flight and an overall simplified design, representing what the company contends is the first candidate for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification of an autonomous eVTOL. 

“In 2010, we set out to find a way to skip traffic and get to our destination faster,” Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk, says. “That inspiration evolved into a mission to deliver safe, everyday flight for everyone. Over the past 12 years, we’ve pursued that mission through the development of five different generations of full-scale aircraft. Our sixth-generation aircraft is the culmination of years of hard work from our industry-leading team, learnings from our previous generations of aircraft, commitment from our investors, and the evolution and advancement of technology.” 

Wisk is backed by aviation leaders, The Boeing Co. (Arlington, Va., U.S.) and Kitty Hawk Corp. (Palo Alto, Calif., U.S.). The company believes Generation 6 will set the standard for the air taxi market and the future of travel by leveraging: 

• A safety-first approach — this includes autonomous flight with human oversight, a simplified design with fewer moving parts, fully redundant systems and no single point of failure.
• Autonomous flight with human oversight — Wisk’s multi-faceted self-flying first approach includes leveraging the same proven technology that accounts for more than 93% of automated pilot functions on today’s commercial flights; new technology such as improved detect and avoid capabilities, sensors and more; Wisk’s logic-driven, procedural-based, decision-making software which provides reliable, deterministic outcomes; and multi-vehicle supervisors that provide human oversight of every flight and have the ability to intervene when needed.
• Specifications and performance — Leverages key learnings and insights from its previous five generations of eVTOL aircraft to deliver a new level of performance. 
• Design and configuration —
  • Proprietary 12-propeller design and boom configuration with improved propulsion systems. Tilting propulsion units in front of the wing and fixed lift units aft of the wing are optimized for range, improved aircraft control and performance, and efficient energy management.
  • A raised wing design, extended booms and increased size and number of propeller blades to improve safety, stability and the passenger experience, while reducing both in-cabin noise and the aircraft’s overall noise footprint.
  • A larger passenger cabin with four seats and ample storage for baggage and personal carry-on items.
• Customer experience — Designed with thought toward safety, comfort and overall passenger experience.

Wisk’s sixth-generation four-seat electric aircraft is designed to be a service for everyone, with a price target of $3 per passenger, per mile. It features a cruising speed of 120 knots, a range of 90 miles with reserves (~144 kilometers with reserves) and can reach an altitude of 2,500-4,000 feet above the ground.