The Australian Government has awarded a $250,000 grant to Skyportz Australia Pty Ltd to advance the development of its patented Aeroberm elevated vertipad for the electric air taxi industry.
Supported under the Industry Growth Program, this investment aims to create a minimum viable product that solves primary infrastructure hurdles, specifically noise mitigation, fire suppression, and the management of downwash and outwash. The modular system is designed for installation on car parks, rooftops, or standalone structures, providing a scalable solution for the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector.
Skyportz will match the government funding to establish a $500,000 research and development pool. This fund will be used to engage industrial designers, patent specialists, and researchers to move the technology into the prototype phase. The Aeroberm design features integrated air management channels and acoustic dampening to ensure electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can operate safely within built environments.
Clem Newton-Brown OAM, CEO of Skyportz, said, “This grant will help us take our patented vertipad technology from concept to prototype. We’re focused on delivering a safe, affordable and deployable solution that will enable property owners and developers to future-proof their sites for the coming era of electric air taxis.”
This initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to establish Australia as a leader in AAM. Other programs, such as the New and Emerging Aviation Technologies (NEAT) Program, complement the regulatory work being conducted by Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to develop airspace integration frameworks and vertiport standards.
By developing sustainable air taxi infrastructure locally, Skyportz intends to export the technology to international markets. The company is currently leveraging research partnerships in the United Kingdom, USA, India, and China to position the Australian-designed Aeroberm system for the global rollout of Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure.
