Pilotless transportation literally takes off in Russia

Russia’s first flying taxi, called SerVert SV5B, will combine the functions of a plane and a helicopter. The cost of transporting one person over 100 kilometers will be between $10 and $15.

The vehicle is being developed by a Russian aviation startup, Aviaton, which has just secured more than $16 million in state investment. This is 70% of the total needed to create the first prototype. While Aviaton’s developers plan to begin with cargo, their ultimate goal is a pilotless passenger taxi.

The AeroNet group, a part of the Russian National Technological Initiative (NTI), will provide the necessary investment to create a prototype. Developing pilotless aircraft is a top priority for the country’s tech sector.