Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University unveils people/cargo carrying eVTOL demonstrator

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has unveiled Singapore’s first locally designed and built full-sized aircraft, an advanced electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology demonstrator, with the aim of developing a full-sized prototype capable of carrying people and cargo.

“This eight-metre wingspan homegrown aircraft prototype, developed over more than three years by researchers and engineers from NTU Singapore, marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s aerospace research capabilities,” said NTU in a press release. “Eight lift rotors powered by NTU-designed electric motors are mounted on the wings to enable vertical take-off and landing from any confined space. Once airborne, the proprotor at the back quietly propels the aircraft forward, allowing it to fly like a normal airplane. This design allows the aircraft to combine the aerodynamic efficiency of a conventional aeroplane with the hovering capability of a helicopter.

It was unveiled at the Singapore Airshow 2026 by NTU Vice President (Industry) Professor Lam Khin Yong, together with other industry partners.

According to Professor Louis Phee, NTU’s Vice President (Innovation and Entrepreneurship): “When we set up the NTU Centre for eVTOL research, our goal was to build end-to-end capability in Singapore. Working with leading aerospace industry partners, we sought to deepen our expertise in cutting-edge eVTOL technologies, We hope that by developing a real, working prototype, this project will go the distance and be translated into Singapore’s first commercially available eVTOL, operating in our airspace and beyond.”

The NTU eVTOL project is supported by the Industry Alignment Fund – Pre-Positioning (IAF-PP) initiative under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan and was carried out in close collaboration with a network of local and international partners, bringing together expertise across aerospace systems, advanced materials, manufacturing and testing. These include Eaton Aerospace, Syensqo, Luminator and Diab, for aircraft systems and materials, as well as DLR and AVL for research and flight test support. Flight control, electrical components, and logistics support are provided by partners Embention, Volz, WingTeck, Bitec, BJO, and CEVA. Admiralty and Flare Dynamics from Singapore supported manufacturing, integration and testing. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Republic Polytechnic contributed composite technology, talent development and translational expertise.

The eVTOL prototype will continue to serve as a research platform and the knowledge generated will help support Singapore’s longer-term ambitions in aerospace innovation and advanced air mobility.

For more information

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/first-homegrown-electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing-aircraft-prototype-debuts-at-singapore-airshow-2026?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=research-engineering&utm_term=technology&utm_content=industrypartnership#

(Image: NTU)