- Developing high-fidelity 3D vertiport simulations to support pilot training, procedure validation, and certification for advanced air mobility vehicles
- Leveraging innovative technologies and international collaboration to advance safe and efficient autonomous eVTOL operations
Virtual vertiport FATO rendering on rooftop in Madrid, Spain (Boeing/Almadesign Rendering)
LISBON, Portugal, May 27, 2026 — Boeing and Portugal-based Almadesign are collaborating to develop a tool that can render, visualize, and simulate vertiports’ Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO) required for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles.
High-fidelity, 3D vertiport simulation models support pilot training, procedure validation, and certification support of AAM vehicles like the self-flying, four-seat air taxi Wisk, a Boeing subsidiary, is developing. Wisk aims to provide the world’s first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle certified for autonomous passenger-carry-on flights.
Boeing has been working with Almadesign to create both simple and complex 3D vertiport models based on European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommendations. Almadesign, in partnership with EMPORDEF Tecnologias de Informacão (ETI), also is developing a vertiport plugin using Cesium, an open platform for software applications, to enable interactive model manipulation during training and validation activities.
“The development of high-fidelity vertiport simulations is critical to ensuring safe and efficient operations of eVTOL vehicles,” said Javier Augusto, autonomy simulation technical lead at Wisk. “This partnership exemplifies Boeing’s commitment to innovation and international cooperation in advancing air mobility.”
Future AAM operations will require the use of vertiports, though autonomous operations of air vehicles in an AAM environment are still under development. New technologies for navigation and control are needed to support autonomous takeoff, cruise and landing operations. The required testing, verification and future certification of such technologies will require high-fidelity model simulations capable of representing accurately both the vehicles and the operational context where the operations are conducted.
Suitable 3D visuals of the synthetic world will support training and validation of AAM operations. Almadesign’s team includes industrial design and design management specialists, who have participated over the years in several initiatives related to AAM, eVTOLs and mobility systems as well as in NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) studies around modular platforms for rotorcraft.
“This partnership with Boeing addresses one of the key current challenges facing the future implementation of AAM: the development of vertiport infrastructures and their integration with local systems,” said Rui Marcelino, CEO of Almadesign. “It has been an exceptional opportunity for team collaboration, knowledge sharing, and to showcase the potential of Almadesign and the local ecosystem to work together with Boeing and tackle AAM challenges.”
Through strategic partnerships and investments, Boeing has been supporting European industry and Portugal for over 40 years. Boeing continues to invest in European talent, skills, capabilities and technologies, and is proud of the success of its enduring partnerships with European industry, governments and local communities.
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A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.
Almadesign is a Design studio based in Lisbon, focused on driving innovation through design and using design as a tool to bring people, skills and capabilities together. With 30 years of experience and more than 1000 design projects, Almadesign combines human, technological, social and economic perspectives, using a holistic approach to design and develop user-centered technology-based solutions mainly for Transports, Product and Interiors.