AIBOT has achieved a major milestone in autonomous aviation, becoming the first eVTOL and drone manufacturer to successfully conduct a flight test at the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center at San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) under the newly established Norton Test Range.
This flight, conducted in partnership with the FAA’s UAS Test Range—Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI)—represents a crucial step forward in integrating autonomous aircraft into regulated airspace and advancing commercial deployment.
This landmark achievement cements AIBOT’s position at the forefront of next-generation urban air mobility. The successful test validated the performance, safety, and operational feasibility of its aiEVTOL technology in an active airport setting. It also sets the stage for further testing, including Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, which will be critical in refining autonomous flight capabilities and expanding regulatory approvals.
AIBOT’s progress is driven by strong leadership in regulatory and safety initiatives. Sean Cassidy, AIBOT’s head of regulatory and safety—formerly Director of Safety, Flight Operations, & Regulatory Affairs at Amazon Prime Air—has played a pivotal role in guiding the company’s collaboration with the UAS Center at SBD. This partnership underscores AIBOT’s commitment to working closely with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of autonomous air mobility solutions.
Max Ma, President of AIBOT, said, “This milestone flight of our pre-production aircraft, which is set to launch next year, marks a major achievement for AIBOT and the broader eVTOL industry. It not only demonstrates our ability to integrate autonomous flight technology into operations in and around the airport area while meeting the highest safety and regulatory standards but also represents a crucial step toward AIBOT’s goal of launching commercial eVTOL operations, bringing the vision of advanced air mobility and autonomous aviation closer to reality. This collaboration with UAS Center at SBD and ACUASI accelerates our path to commercialization.”
The Norton Test Range, developed through a collaboration with ACUASI, is a purpose-built facility designed to support the integration of eVTOL and UAS technologies into national airspace. As the first company to conduct large drone and eVTOL operations at SBD, AIBOT has set an important precedent for future applicants.
The successful demonstration highlights not only the viability of AIBOT’s aircraft but also the importance of dedicated test sites for advancing autonomous flight technologies. California’s commitment to emerging aviation innovation is reinforced by the establishment of this range, providing a crucial hub for flight testing in the greater Los Angeles area.
Kimberly Benson, Administrator of the UAS Center at SBD, added, “The UAS Center at SBD has quickly become an essential hub for testing next-generation aviation technologies. AIBOT’s successful test highlights the real-world potential of autonomous eVTOL systems, and we are proud to support their journey toward commercialization.”
With this milestone achieved, AIBOT is now gearing up for the next phase of testing, which will focus on expanding its aircraft’s flight envelope, refining autonomous navigation capabilities, and further validating the safety and efficiency of its aiEVTOL platform. These ongoing trials will generate critical data to support regulatory approvals and move AIBOT closer to commercial deployment. By maintaining close collaboration with SBD and ACUASI, AIBOT is laying the foundation for scalable, autonomous air mobility solutions that have the potential to transform urban transportation.
