UrbanV has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop city-wide infrastructure for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
This agreement will see AWS provide the cloud technology for UrbanV’s flying taxi services, which the company expects to launch in Rome by 2025.
UrbanV will work in partnership with AWS Professional Services (ProServ) to develop and operate vertiport networks that will be used by eVTOLs to transport passengers within city centres.
Leveraging AWS’ experience as a cloud provider for airlines and airports, the companies will develop a scalable vertiport operating model that can be expanded internationally over the next few years.
The AWS cloud technology will be used to automate the passenger experience and simplify check-in and security procedures. The aim is to save on space and enable the vertiports to fit into urban spaces.
In addition, AWS will develop a system to provide customers with real-time updates and travel plans that will automatically adjust if connecting flights are delayed.
Carlo Tursi, CEO of UrbanV said:Our vision for electric urban air travel focuses on reinventing the flying experience. Within AWS, we recognised the ideal cloud partner to turn this vision into a reality. Their unrivalled experience in the airline industry gives them a profound understanding of the sector and, furthermore, their thirst for innovation makes them the ideal partner to create new possibilities. Together, we will develop a revolutionary urban travel experience, not only in terms of the vehicles involved, but also in terms of the passenger experience.
Initially, UrbanV aims to launch an eVTOL service from Rome Fiumicino Airport to central Rome by the end of 2024. This will provide an alternative transport option alongside the direct rail service for visitors arriving in the city to attend the Jubilee in 2025.
From 2026, it envisions that Rome’s network will be expanded to 10 vertiports in order to offer fast, traffic-free travel between popular transit hubs and tourist destinations.
Meanwhile, UrbanV also plans to open vertiport networks in Venice, Bologna and the French Riviera.
