Flying Low, Aiming High: IIT Madras' Seaglider Impresses Industry Giant

Tycoon Anand Mahindra has called IIT Madras a future Silicon Valley competitor after heaping compliments on its roaring startup ecosystem. His admiration came after Waterfly Technologies' successful electric seaglider—a Wing-in-Ground (WIG) aircraft which hovers 4 meters over water at a speed of 500 km/h. The firm incubated in IIT Madras is now targeting the travel cost between Kolkata and Chennai down to ₹600 (compared to ₹1,500 on a train) with zero-emission flights. Prototypes are envisioned to comprise a 100 kg version by April 2025 and a 20-seater in 2026. Mahindra welcomed the "stunning design" and prospects of transforming India's waterways, making the institute a global innovation center.

 

Sources: India.com, Business Today, News18