A man from Uttarakhand has attracted attention after test-flying a single-seater electric flying vehicle prototype that he says was developed using modified drone technology.
Ravi Tamta, from Kaflikhan village in Almora, conducted the test flight of the prototype developed under his startup, Hapida Sky. Named HAPIDA SKYNeX, the machine has drawn attention after videos of the flight surfaced on social media. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also shared a video of the test on X.
Flying vehicle aimed at mountain connectivity
Tamta says the idea was driven by the difficulties of travelling across the mountainous region. A road journey of around 40 kilometre between his village and home can take nearly 90 minutes, according to local reports.
He believes a personal flying vehicle could reduce the travel time to around 10 to 15 minutes.
The initial flight test was carried out on open ground in Almora, with Tamta and his team assessing the prototype. He has described the project as the result of years of experimentation aimed at adapting existing drone technology to carry a person.
Tamta has also rejected allegations that the flying vehicle was imported from China. In a statement to a reporter, he invited him to visit his manufacturing unit.
What is HAPIDA SKYNeX?
The HAPIDA SKYNeX has been described as a fully electric, single-seat personal flying vehicle. Its design is based on a compact multi-rotor arrangement inspired by drone technology.
The single-seat configuration allows the team to focus on basic flight requirements such as lift, balance and controlled movement while testing the prototype.
Videos of the test flight show the vehicle being operated outdoors, but the available information does not establish the full technical capabilities of the machine.
Technical details remain limited
Details such as the vehicle's battery capacity, maximum speed, flight duration, payload capacity and charging time have not been publicly disclosed.
The prototype is therefore at an early testing stage, with the available information largely centred on its design concept and initial flight demonstration.
Tamta's project is focused on using electric flight and drone-inspired technology for personal transportation, particularly in areas where road connectivity can make short-distance travel time-consuming.