The Problem
Vehicles that take off straight up usually cannot fly far, because batteries are heavy and heavy batteries mean short trips. Most of these vehicles also need a pilot, so human error can cause accidents. People need a vehicle that is safe, flies far, and can hover.
The Approach
AWZ is a self-flying vehicle that takes off and lands vertically and carries one passenger. Its design goal is a range of over 1,000 miles on one trip. Every part of the design puts safety first.
Why Fuel, Not Batteries
AWZ is designed to run on Jet-A fuel, which is common and easy to find today, with batteries for backup power. A future switch to hydrogen fuel is possible once hydrogen stations are widely built.
How the Vehicle Flies Itself
AWZ is designed to fly with no onboard pilot and no ground controller. Three flight computers work together; if one fails, the other two keep the vehicle flying safely. Cameras and sensors support navigation and landing, even without an external signal.
Safety Built In From Day One
Safety and self-flying work together and are never traded off against each other. If the main controls fail, a backup system keeps the engine running. In an emergency, a parachute is designed to lower the whole vehicle, including onto water.
Engineering Status
AWZ exists as a complete design that has been tested through simulation. The next step is a physical prototype, starting small and building up to full size. The 1,000-mile range is a design goal that has not yet been demonstrated in flight.
Why Now
Unmanned vehicles are growing across transport, mapping, and other industries. Some existing vehicles fly on their own but only for a few minutes, and others fly farther but need a pilot onboard. AWZ aims to combine self-flying, long range, and strong safety in one vehicle.
Important Notice
AWZ is under development and is not available for sale or operation. Statements about the future are forward-looking and are not guarantees of performance, safety, or availability.