Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Saturday.

The company aims to launch the electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India.

The Shunya prototype is designed for short trips of 20-30 kms and can reach speeds of upto 250 kmph. The vehicle can accommodate up to six passengers and carry a maximum load of 680 kg, which the company said makes it the highest payload eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle currently on the market. It aims to price the services at levels comparable to existing premium taxi services.

"Shunya is more than a technological achievement; it embodies our vision to redefine urban mobility in India. By addressing challenges like traffic congestion and pollution, we aim to unlock India's economic potential while paving the way for a cleaner and more connected future," said Adrian Schmidt, Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation.

Sarla Aviation was founded by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan in October 2023. The startup recently raised USD 10 million in Series A funding, led by Accel with participation from Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath.

The company said that it will expand its air taxi services to cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune after launching in Bengaluru.

In addition to passenger transport, Sarla Aviation announced plans to launch a free air ambulance service to address urgent medical needs in urban areas.