Waterfly Technologies, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, says it is developing electric seagliders, a sustainable alternative to traditional air and ferry travel, with plans to transform transportation across coastal regions.
These seagliders, also known as Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft, use a unique design that allows them to take off from water, fly at a height of around four meters, and maintain that altitude, leveraging ground effect for efficiency, the company claimed.
They are expected to reach speeds of up to 500 km/h, combining the speed and comfort of aircraft with the affordability and maneuverability of boats, it added.
At Aero India in Bengaluru, Waterfly showcased its design, with a prototype expected by the end of 2025.
The company plans to develop a 100 kg prototype by April 2025, followed by a one-tonne prototype later in the year. A full-scale version with a 20-seat capacity and four-ton payload can be expected by next year, Waterfly's co-founder said.
Newsportal Moneycontrol quoted Waterfly Technologies' co-founder and CEO Harish Rajesh, in a report, as saying: "Travelling from Kolkata to Chennai via WIG craft will cost just Rs 600 per seat for a 1,600 km journey, far cheaper than an AC three-tier train ticket, which costs over Rs 1,500."
A media query sent to the company requesting details on how they determined the per-passenger pricing did not receive a response.
The seagliders are expected to fly up to an altitude of 150 meters. They will initially have a 500 km range on battery power, with a hydrogen-electric variant capable of traveling up to 2,000 km, the company claimed.
In emergencies, they are safer than conventional aircraft as they can land on water, the company added.
The company also targets routes like Chennai-Singapore, with plans for intercontinental travel by 2029, including a Dubai-Los Angeles route.
Waterfly Technologies is seeking certification from the Indian Register of Shipping by 2026, aiming to develop the seagliders for both civilian and military use.
The company has currently received grants from IIT Madras and is exploring defense funding to support its full-scale prototype and applications in cargo and surveillance. It has garnered interest from various industries, including pharmaceuticals and electronics, due to its lower costs and reduced carbon footprint, the founders claimed.
The concept of ground-effect vehicles dates back to the 1960s, with military use by the Soviet Union.
Waterfly claims its seagliders are designed with a focus on efficiency and commercial viability. The company is also in talks with India's GRSE shipbuilders for potential military applications, especially for the Coast Guard.
Waterfly’s team says they have experience in developing high-performance electric vehicles, having previously built the first electric race car at IIT Madras.