India took a giant leap in sustainable mobility as its first flying taxi prototype, ‘Shunya,’ was unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Developed by Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft represents a significant step toward revolutionising urban air transportation. Precision manufacturing firm Sona SPEED partnered with Sarla Aviation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to design and manufacture critical components for the futuristic project.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, attended the event and visited the Sarla Aviation booth, expressing enthusiasm for the prototype. Sona SPEED’s contributions include motors and landing gear, showcasing its precision engineering expertise honed from participation in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) missions. The collaboration aims to create cleaner, faster, and more efficient solutions for urban mobility while highlighting India’s growing ambitions in aerospace innovation.
Chocko Valliappa, CEO, Sona SPEED, emphasised the partnership as a milestone in the company’s journey toward aerospace excellence. “We aim to shape a cleaner, faster, and more efficient future for urban transportation,” he said. Rakesh Gaonkar, CEO Sarla Aviation, added, “This collaboration reinforces our mission to redefine urban mobility with cutting-edge eVTOL technology.”
The unveiling of Shunya at the mobility expo underscores India’s aspirations in pioneering sustainable air transportation and the significance of public-private synergies in driving innovation. The partnership between Sona SPEED and Sarla Aviation is expected to position India as a key player in the global eVTOL landscape.
