Microsoft and Volocopter announced a strategic collaboration to develop an aerospace cloud system in Microsoft Azure that will address the nascent cloud computing requirements for eVTOLs, UAM, and autonomous aviation.
Microsoft Azure will support the digital platform VoloIQ, the operating system for Volocopter’s UAM services, and its subsequent transition to autonomous operations.
According to Volocopter, the system will cover aspects like booking and e-commerce, commercial scheduling, operational network planning, flight planning, flight monitoring, supplying airspace digital twins, and vehicle data logging and analysis.
“Having Microsoft on board as a project partner and investor is proof that the solutions Volocopter creates – like the VoloIQ – are pioneering and hold remarkable market potential. We’re proud that Microsoft Azure is the one to provide a secure cloud and thus to ensure safety remains at the forefront of our operations.”
Alexander Oelling, Chief Digital Officer of Volocopter.
Volocopter and Microsoft will begin collaborating by ensuring Microsoft Azure meets the VoloIQ’s needs for commercial operations. Azure will then enable the VoloIQ’s flight and service support for Volocopter’s eVTOL, alongside ground infrastructure support in real time.
“We certainly see the potential a secure, robust, and efficient cloud platform could offer aerospace and urban air mobility operators. Working in collaboration with Volocopter, we will start to build the foundation for a commercial model for aerospace cloud.”
Uli Homann, CVP of Cloud and AI at Microsoft.