With global infrastructure pressures due to rising demand and urban congestion, electric vertical vehicles are rapidly emerging as a practical and scalable solution for modern logistics. Unlike conventional aircraft, these aircraft do not require minimal infrastructure.
Its ability to take off and land vertically allows it to reach rooftops, warehouses and compact urban spaces, and is ideal for densely populated cities where real estate is scarce. This isn’t just about speed. It’s about redefining how and where logistics can happen. Rather than replacing traditional delivery services, VTOL aircraft complement them, filling logistical gaps in hard-to-reach areas or accelerating time-sensitive deliveries.
“Electric cargo helicopters (eVTOLs) will become an essential part of regional and last-mile delivery infrastructure.” AIR CEO Rani Balut expects. “As ground networks become more congested and stressed, aircraft like the AIR ONE, capable of serving different use cases, will play a central role in building agile and flexible logistics operations that can be deployed when and when needed.”
What automotive knowledge brings to the electric aircraft and helicopter industry
While the electric aircraft and helicopter space is crowded with flashy prototypes and prototypes, the real test lies in scalable, cost-effective production. For AIR, a major turning point came in its partnership with EDAG, a German engineering company known for its decades of experience in automotive production.
“The partnership with EDAG represents a major inflection point in our production roadmap,” explains Plaut. “Their decades of experience in automotive design, prototyping and production engineering allow us to deliver proven and scalable manufacturing strategies for electric aircraft and rotorcraft.”
This collaboration signals a shift in how vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are brought to market, not as hand-built aviation projects but as mass-producible vehicles. The EDAG effect offers repeatable operations, cost-effectiveness, and ease of maintenance, all hallmarks of the automotive industry but relatively new to electric aviation.
“Applying these methods enables us to quickly move from prototyping to series production with quality and consistency,” adds Plaut. The goal is to create a platform that is as reliable and maintainable as any commercial vehicle, whether transporting goods across town or into rural terrain.
The engineering choices support this. The AIR ONE production model features a new, streamlined airframe designed for ease of manufacturing, upgraded avionics, and an enhanced propulsion system for safety and diagnostics. “We have developed custom-made motors and batteries for this aircraft, which have been optimized to match its flight profile,” says Plaut.
New logistics layer
AIR ONE is designed not only for the sky but also for the real-world environments in which you will operate. Its foldable wings and kinetic arms make it highly adaptable to areas with limited space, giving it a distinct advantage in urban or last-mile environments.
“This modularity makes AIR ONE an ideal candidate for last-mile operations in urban environments where space is at a premium and rapid redeployment is key,” Plaut notes. In practical terms, this means that AIR ONE can be stored in warehouse facilities, launched from rooftop platforms, or placed in compact logistics centers – all without significant investments in infrastructure.
This is not limited to urban applications. The freight variant, which has a configurable 70-cubic-foot volume, is designed for time-sensitive deliveries where routes run out or are very slow. “We do not aim to replace ground logistics, but rather to complement it, by offering a faster, flexible and economical alternative for high-value, time-sensitive deliveries in areas where road congestion or geography is a barrier,” says Plaut.
The aircraft’s lightweight aluminum frame also strikes a careful balance between performance and cost. “Aluminum provides the optimal balance between structural integrity, weight savings, and cost effectiveness,” says Plaut. “They are well understood and widely available; they are key factors for shipping operations that prioritize durability and uptime.”
As AIR prepares to deliver the first 15 shipments of eVTOL aircraft next year, the aircraft will initially target sectors such as medical supply delivery, emergency response, and regional resupply of hard-to-reach areas. “Our high payload capacity enables us to transport larger equipment and supplies, which today’s small drones do not have the ability to lift,” says Plaut.
A world of restrictions
In an era defined by environmental regulation and urban congestion, logistics providers are under pressure to find cleaner, more flexible delivery methods. This is where electric helicopters like AIR ONE enter the framework, not just as a technological novelty, but as a true operational transformation.
“Vertical electric vehicles like AIR ONE eliminate bottlenecks, reduce noise pollution, avoid road congestion altogether, and address key pressure points for future logistics,” explains Plaut. As political and market pressures increase to phase out combustion-based delivery systems, electric vertical vehicles (eVTOLs) offer a turnkey solution that meets regulatory requirements and commercial needs.
The response of logistics service providers was clear. “Customers are looking for a solution that is not only reliable and unmanned, but also modular and cost-effective,” says Plaut. “We have reached the point where an unfamiliar ground handler can receive a one-page summary of the aircraft, ready to unload or load it as soon as it arrives.”
With remote piloting and full autonomy on the horizon, AIR eVTOL cargo aircraft are designed for real-world deployment – high uptime, low infrastructure, and quick turnaround. As Plaut says: “Once production ramps up, our aircraft can provide a flexible logistics layer that operates independently of road networks. A layer that is faster, cleaner and able to reach the unreachable.”
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