Moonware has announced its launch as an independent company after a successful year-long collaboration with Uber Elevate.

Moonware is developing advanced software and hardware products that solve decades-old inefficiencies in the aviation industry. The ambitious startup founded by Javier Vidal and Saunon Malekshahi is transforming mobility in all aviation-related industries.

JASON PRITCHARD - 19 NOVEMBER 2020

Californian start-up Moonware is stepping up its plans to develop a family of electrically powered tow tugs that it says could transform the ground handling process for aircraft up to the size of widebody airliners. The tugs, which could be ready to enter service in 2023, will operate autonomously using software and control systems developed by the San Francisco-based company.

At the conclusion of a year-long joint project with Uber Elevate, California start-up Moonware is stepping up its plans to develop a fully autonomous, electrically powered aircraft tow tug. The company says the vehicle will be suitable for moving eVTOL aircraft at vertiports, such as those planned by Uber, but will also be able to handle larger airliners.

Moonware has announced its launch as an independent company to provide software as a ground handling service and help automate airports and, in future, Skyports for Urban Air Mobility operations.

The San Francisco-based company completed a successful year-long collaboration with Uber Elevate, and designs, develops and operates autonomous and electric vehicles to move aircraft around airfields.

Uber Elevate has added Moonware, a robotics and software company developing autonomous, electric ground handling vehicles, to its roster of solutions that will help enable high throughput air taxi services at its skyports.