Mobility infrastructure group Varon Vehicles is stepping up the development of its Traffic Management System by integrating weather and micro-weather prediction capability. The company announced a partnership with meteorological data analytics specialist TruWeather Solutions to collaborate in developing the system, which Varon says will support eVTOL aircraft operations.
Varon Vehicles is developing a concept for networks of vertiports connected via what it calls “virtual lanes” in low-altitude urban airspace. The Colombia-based company intends to roll out its plans across South America and recently partnered with eVTOL aircraft developer Jaunt Air Mobility to work on operational infrastructure.
“Smart weather infrastructure and micro-weather hazard detect-and- avoid services for a smooth-running air-based transport system are critical to increasing aircraft revenue generation and for clients to feel comfortable knowing their ride will show up when needed,” said TruWeather Solutions CEO Don Berchoff. The U.S. company is offering its TruFlite V360 micro-weather data and analytics software to support advanced air mobility operations.
Felipe Varon, an engineer who previously worked in the robotics and defense sector, founded Varon Vehicles four years ago. He aims to integrate available technologies to support plans to develop packaged air mobility infrastructure for specific locations.
The company has started work on its home city of Cartagena on Colombia’s coast. It also sees potential for other South American cities,—including the Colombian capital Bogota, Lima in Peru, and Santiago in Chile—to be early adopters of urban air mobility services.
According to Varon, while many of the region’s major cities are only around 15 miles in diameter, they suffer from extreme road congestion.
“Urban air mobility is not about aviation, really,” Varon told FutureFlight. “We believe that aviation is a tool, but the mission is much broader, and what we’re working on is a solution to an urban problem. Air taxis are just one of many applications that can help and what we are preparing is a new type of mobility infrastructure for places where this does not exist.”
For now, the company is focused on engaging with potential stakeholders and partners to put together its infrastructure offering. But in the longer term, its business plan calls for it to own and operate eVTOL aircraft, perhaps under leasing arrangements and perhaps involving multiple service brands in different markets.
“We are a business-to-business company, providing service to lift providers, such as ride-hailing companies,” Varon explained. In some cities, such as those that have limited public surface transportation, he sees the planned eVTOL networks acting as a surrogate for metro systems. The company is also looking to partner with tourism enterprises to provide sightseeing trips for visitors, and its early operations may involve freight services.
Under Varon’s business model, pay-per-ride fares will not be the only income stream. The company is also looking to exploit real estate opportunities around its planned vertiports (such as shops and restaurants), as well as provide refueling and data services for other aircraft operators.
Discussions are already underway with civil aviation officials and other regulators in Colombia. Varon indicated that it could take four to six years to get commercial services up and running.
According to Varon, the investment in the sort of urban air mobility network he has in mind will need to come entirely from a growing pool of prospective investors. However, he declined to estimate how much capital his company needs to implement its business model or how or when the required fundraising will happen.
