Across the United States, autonomous air taxis are shifting from experimental prototypes to an emerging reality—one that promises cleaner, quieter, and more accessible flight. That rapid evolution framed Purdue AAE’s 2025 William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture, where Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk Aero, outlined how autonomy is set to redefine the future of aviation.

In his talk, Vigneron shared how Wisk, a Boeing subsidiary, plans to launch the first FAA-approved autonomous air-taxi operations in the U.S. “This feels like my going-to-the-moon moment,” he told the audience, describing the company’s Generation 6 aircraft and its sophisticated autonomy stack, supported by a ground-based supervisor. 

Vigneron also described Wisk’s 15-year journey of iteration: “Design, build, test, learn—and do it again.” From wind-tunnel testing and full-scale simulations to composite airframes and custom battery packs, he lauded the blend of Silicon Valley innovation and Boeing rigor that powers Wisk’s progress. 

Watch Vigneron’s full presentation in the video