Airbus signs deal to start testing 'Project Vahana' prototype in Oregon next year

Airbus's vision for driverless flying taxis is one step closer to becoming a reality. MTSI and SOAR Oregon have been jointly awarded a'Flight Test and Range' to test the single seater self-piloted flying vehicle that can carry both cargo and human passengers. Airbus's innovation division, A³, unveiled plans for'Project Vahana' earlier this year, and says it hopes to have a full-sized prototype in the air by the end of 2017 and a model for sale on the market by 2020. Airbus's innovation division, A³, previously unveiled plans for'Project Vahana', which aims to have a full-sized prototype in the air by the end of 2017 and a model for sale on the market by 2020. Project Vahana began earlier this year and is one of the first projects at A³, the advanced projects and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group in Silicon Valley. The first conceptual renders have been revealed showing a sleek self-flying aircraft with room for one passenger who sits under a canopy that retracts similar to a motorcycle helmet visor.