TCS and Flying Taxi Startup ePlane Collaborate to Improve Urban Mobility

Nitin Konde, Varun Bhardwaj

Jan 10, 2025 — 3 min read

TCS Partners with ePlane to Revolutionize Urban Mobility

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a world leader in IT services and digital transformation, has announced a strategic alliance with The ePlane Company, a pioneer in compact flying electric taxis and urban air mobility solutions, to revolutionise urban mobility.

The collaboration intends to take advantage of TCS's proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as ePlane's advancements in small eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, its innovative aircraft designs, and its state-of-the-art technology. By working together, both firms want to develop groundbreaking answers to urgent urban problems, including traffic, waste, and environmental sustainability.

According to Vishnu Ramakrishnan, founder of The ePlane Company's office (Business), this partnership with TCS is a natural fit with the company's goal of redefining urban transportation through the development of sustainable and effective electric air mobility solutions. The company may expand its operations, improve its technological skills, and get closer to the future of air mobility by utilising TCS's experience. TCS and The ePlane Company hope to provide sustainable solutions that tackle the problems of contemporary urban transit by fusing their respective strengths.

Creating Robust Framework

A strong foundation for effective and scalable air mobility will be established by this convergence of technology capabilities. TCS's CTO, Harrick Vin, went on to say that the company is thrilled to collaborate with The ePlane Company, a leader in small flying electric taxis. This collaboration underscores TCS's aim of using technology to create a sustainable future and demonstrates its dedication to fostering innovation in cutting-edge sectors like electric aircraft.

By incorporating renewable energy sources and creating a very strong supplier-buyer framework, the collaboration also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and scalability. These initiatives seek to improve the electric aviation ecosystem's operational effectiveness and reach while ensuring its long-term viability.

Other Important Initiatives of the MoU

The MoU also describes strategic efforts, such as product presentations, co-development of customised solutions for TCS clients, involvement in innovation-focused events like TCS PacePortsTM, and investigation of proof-of-concept projects. These programs aim to establish the partnership as a pioneer in the developing field of sustainable transportation and accelerate the implementation of cutting-edge air mobility technology.

The collaboration demonstrates India's leadership in the global movement for sustainable and innovative transportation. This partnership aims to clear the path for a time when air mobility solutions will be essential in alleviating urban transport problems as cities around the world struggle with traffic and environmental issues.

Backdrop of The ePlane Company

The goal of the ePlane Company, which was founded by Professor Satya Chakravarthy and developed at IIT Madras in 2019, is to transform urban transportation. The business is working on the e200x, an eVTOL aircraft that will reduce traffic in metropolitan areas by up to seven times and enable up to seven times faster intra-city commutes and cargo delivery. The goal of ePlane is to develop sustainable, lightweight, and small urban mobility alternatives.

When Professor Chakravarthy of IIT Madras and his students teamed up as business partners for a new idea in 2017, the flying taxi start-up took its first form. To advance the business, Chakravarthy took a leave of absence from his teaching position. The business was fostered at IIT Madras later in 2019.