Electric air mobility company AutoFlightX gets investment from TDK Ventures

Germany-based electric air mobility company AutoFlightX has secured investment from TDK Ventures, a subsidiary of Japanese electronics company TDK Corporation.

AutoFlightX, which is engaged in developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air mobility, is the fourth investment made by TDK’s corporate venture capital fund since its launch in July 2019. The fund’s objective is to invest in innovative startups focused on digital and energy transformation while doing their bit to sustainability.

Tian Yu – CEO and founder of AutoFlightX said: “TDK’s multi-dimensional core competency in sensors, energy and power makes them our strongest partner so far.

“As we look into the horizon of tomorrow’s mobility, we are committed to bringing high-endurance eVTOL vehicles with the best reliability and safety. We are thrilled to have TDK as our partner because they are world leaders in commercializing advanced technologies and supporting hard-tech entrepreneurs like us.”

Electric air mobility company AutoFlightX secures investment from TDK Ventures. Photo courtesy of AutoFlightX GmbH.

Tian Yu established AutoFlightX in 2018 with a goal to transform air mobility and is said to have assembled a team of more than 100 engineers in Munich, Shenzhen, and Shanghai to tap into the best of consumer drones and aviation with an objective of developing the highest energy-efficient eVTOL vehicle.

Nicolas Sauvage – TDK Ventures Managing Director said: “We believe AutoFlightX’s innovations reflect a combination of the best consumer drone talent from China paired with the aviation engineering rigor of Germany.”

A 50 kg platform of AutoFlightX is said to be capable of carrying payloads of up to 20 kg and can continuously fly for two to five hours.

The eVTOL air-cargo and air-taxi company also has a pipeline of platforms that will carry up to 300 kg and depending on the payload, can fly two to five hours.

AutoFlightX is said to have signed on several customers in the mining and inspection sectors with its V40 Whiteshark platform that can carry payload up to 20 kg. The electric air mobility company had recently completed its first full maiden flight of a 300 kg platform, which can deliver medicine and other time-sensitive supplies weighing up to 100 kg.

The company’s 1,000 kg platform is currently being developed, with plans for initial flights this year. AutoFlightX hopes that its 1,000 kg platform could eventually give birth to air taxis, which can hold up to four passengers and have a range of traveling over 300 km with a single charge.