FutureFlight
Supernal Turns to Microsoft For IT Tools to Develop and Build eVTOL Aircraft
The company announced it will use Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform for autonomous flight simulations and the HoloLens 2 mixed-reality headset for vehicle manufacturing and maintenance.
A screenshot of a simulation of Supernal's SA-1 eVTOL aircraft
As part of its collaboration with Microsoft, Supernal will gain early access to Microsoft's Project AirSim, an artificial intelligence-based simulation platform that aircraft developers can use to design, test, and train autonomous flight systems. (Image: Supernal)

Supernal will use Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform to conduct flight simulations with highly autonomous eVTOL aircraft. The company, which is the advanced air mobility division of South Korean car maker Hyundai, says it is also looking to incorporate Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 augmented-reality headset into its manufacturing and maintenance processes. 

The U.S. -based company is developing a five-seat eVTOL aircraft known as the SA-1, which will initially operate with a pilot on board using a lightweight fly-by-wire system. However, Supernal aims to eventually switch to fully autonomous flight operations. 

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