Wisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing, is taking a significant step towards establishing an all-electric, self-flying air taxi service in Miami.
The company has announced two Memoranda of Understanding aimed at enhancing autonomous air travel in South Florida, teaming up with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the University of Miami’s Engineering Autonomy Mobility Initiative.
The agreements signify a crucial development in creating the necessary infrastructure for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft within one of the nation’s most bustling metro areas.
“Miami has demonstrated long-standing support for AAM (Advanced Air Mobility), making it a natural fit for future Wisk operations,” stated Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk.
He emphasized that these partnerships will facilitate the construction of a comprehensive AAM ecosystem and allow for the scalable implementation of autonomous flight, ultimately aiming to make safe, everyday air travel accessible to everyone.
Under the collaboration with Miami-Dade, Wisk plans to provide technical guidance to aid in the planning of vertiport infrastructure at key county airports, including Miami International Airport, Miami Executive Airport, and Opa-locka Executive Airport.
The county is also set to incorporate autonomous air mobility into broader planning initiatives, which will cover electrical systems, airport development, and the coordination of airspace.
Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This collaboration with Wisk allows us to strategically plan for the future of air travel.
MIA is the busiest airport in Florida and the second busiest in the country for international passengers, which makes it the perfect launch site for AAM.”
The partnership with the University of Miami focuses on joint research and development activities, digging into safety measures, advanced sensors, regulatory frameworks, and next-generation battery systems.
The academic institution will also assist in identifying grant opportunities and provide facilities for collaborative projects aimed at developing AAM technologies.
Pratim Biswas, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Miami, highlighted the university’s commitment to enhancing core technologies critical for AAM, saying, “At the University of Miami, we are leveraging faculty expertise and cutting-edge research to help make autonomous air mobility a reality.”
Wisk’s expansion into Miami adds to its list of launch markets, which includes Houston, Los Angeles County, and Brisbane, Australia.
The company has already completed over 1,750 test flights and is continuously collaborating with local and national stakeholders to ensure that autonomous flight becomes safe and accessible.
This initiative aligns with Wisk’s active involvement in Florida’s AAM planning, having contributed to various state-level reports and guidelines.
Wisk is also a founding member of the Florida Department of Transportation’s AAM Advisory Council.
Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami have positioned themselves as national leaders in AAM local planning, fostering collaborations between industry and government entities.
Wisk is not alone in this endeavor, as several companies have indicated that Miami will serve as an initial launch site for their operations.
The attractiveness of South Florida as a market for eVTOLs is largely attributed to its significant traffic congestion and suburban sprawl.
The anticipated services aim to provide a much faster and environmentally friendly means of transportation, enabling flights over traffic from locations such as MIA to the Miami Beach Convention Center or from downtown Miami to downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Moreover, several companies have expressed intentions to offer extended rides up to 180 miles, potentially connecting South Florida with Orlando.
Though the companies have not yet received approval to commence air taxi services with eVTOLs, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized rules for their operation and pilot training last year.
With timelines varying, the majority of companies are optimistic about launching these services between 2026 and 2028, alongside the development of all-electric seaplanes and eVTOL cargo services.
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