Volocopter’s drone taxi is one step closer to entering service. The German company has revealed that its four-seat VTOL electric aircraft, the VoloConnect, completed its maiden flight in May. The machine’s first run was short at two minutes and 14 seconds, but the maneuvers proved that its aerodynamics and production-level performance held up in real-world conditions. There have been three flights so far.
The 60-mile range and 155 MPH airspeed may not sound like much. However, they promise autonomous commuter flights outside major metropolitan centers — you could fly to a business meeting from the suburbs. The VoloConnect basically complements the VoloCity, a shorter-range eVTOL kite designed solely for urban outings.
The VoloConnect is expected to serve customers from 2026, two years after VoloCity’s planned rollout in 2024. While that’s relatively remote, Volocopter is unique in having multiple air taxis conduct real-world flight tests. The company is closer to real commuting than competitors, many of whom have one model or an unspecified timeline for service.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Engadget.