A German company that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, Volocopter, has successfully completed crewed test flights of its VoloCity air taxi in Japan. The tests took place over the course of a week in the cities of Osaka and Amagasaki, in preparation for the 2025 World Exposition, Osaka Kansai Expo. Volocopter aims to showcase its commercial air taxi at the international exhibition.
The purpose of the flight tests in Japan was to assess the operation of electric aerial vehicles (EAV) under conditions expected during the Expo. Additionally, the tests aimed to raise public awareness of eVTOL vehicles in Japan. The final day of flight testing was co-hosted by Sumitomo Corporation, a strategic partner and investor in Volocopter.
Since 2018, Volocopter has been actively focused on Japan, particularly after the country declared its commitment to urban air mobility. Christian Bauer, the managing director of Volocopter, emphasized the importance of building public awareness and creating the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem in Japan. The company and its partners are preparing early for the 2025 Expo to develop the expertise needed to operate their eVTOLs seamlessly.
Volocopter has also received multiple grants in Japan to conduct educational initiatives, including classroom studies on eVTOLs for school children in Osaka. The company is actively contributing to the advancement of urban air mobility and the integration of eVTOL technology into Japan’s transportation landscape.
