At AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, Zuri presented its display aircraft in public for the first time, a full-size, non-flying representation of the Technology Demonstrator 2.0, or TD 2.0. Visitors could walk around it and read the form and proportions of the hybrid-electric tiltrotor in three dimensions.
Those who have followed Zuri at AERO have watched the design come together across four years: a concept in virtual reality in 2023, the airframe skeleton in 2024, an upgraded testbed in 2025, and now the display aircraft itself.
Engineering progress does not happen in isolation. It is shaped by the people doing the work and the culture that supports them. Last week we opened our R&D workshop for Zuri Family Day and invited our teams and their families to experience the environment where the Zuri Hybrid VTOL aircraft is taking shape.
Families explored our first large-scale demonstrator, interacted with several sub-scale models, tried our VR flight simulator, and added their own color concepts to outlines of the aircraft. The entire afternoon highlighted curiosity, creativity, and the engineering mindset that drives our work.
The workshop was transformed into an open space for exploration. Our engineers walked families through different stages of development, from airframe structures to propulsion concepts. Children jumped into a simulator, tested flight controls, and learned how aerodynamics shapes the aircraft they will one day see in the sky.
Creativity added its own dimension to the day. A dedicated space invited children to reinterpret Zuri aircraft outlines with their own imagination. Their drawings, full of unexpected color and detail, quickly became one of the highlights of the event.
While the younger guests explored, adults had the chance to see how Zuri’s hybrid VTOL program is progressing. Our teams walked them through the first demonstrator, the ground testbed with LED indicators showing the hybrid propulsion system, and several sub-scale models, explaining how each element contributes to regional air mobility.
Family Day was more than a tour. It was a reminder of why our mission matters. Seeing families together in the workshop, where our aircraft are built, tested, and refined, brought new energy into the space and reinforced the purpose behind the work.
Moments like this matter. They bring people together, strengthen teamwork, and highlight the meaning behind building the future of regional air mobility.
We thank everyone who joined us and look forward to welcoming you back as the next stages of development unfold.
Zuri has announced new progress on its next-generation hybrid tiltrotor demonstrator, now under development at the company’s research and development facility in Prague. Technology Demonstrator 2.0 (TD 2.0) is a 700-kilogram unmanned aircraft engineered to validate the hybrid-electric powertrain, tiltrotor mechanism, and transition control laws that underpin Zuri’s future five-seat regional VTOL aircraft.
TD 2.0 features a new tail and propulsion configuration optimized for forward-flight stability and reduced drag, along with a hybrid-electric power system combining an internal combustion generator with distributed electric propulsion.
Flight testing is scheduled to begin as early as late 2026, following ongoing iron bird validation and system integration work. Findings from TD 2.0 will inform certification planning for Zuri’s five-seat aircraft, designed for regional missions up to approximately 700 km, with SAF-ready hybrid propulsion and infrastructure independence beyond major airports.
Partnership strengthens hybrid-electric VTOL certification and production for regional, cargo, and defence operations
Prague / Amsterdam — November 11, 2025
Ambitious Air Mobility Group NL Holding N.V. (AAMG) and Zuri.com SE (Zuri) have signed binding investment terms to advance the development, certification, and deployment of Zuri’s hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft platform for passenger, cargo, and defence applications. The investment also supports unmanned and optionally piloted variants developed for cargo and defence operations.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in three core areas:
Michal Illich, CEO, Zuri.com SE, said:
“AAMG brings not only investment but also experience and an international network that strengthens our ability to accelerate certification and production toward operational deployment. This partnership reinforces Zuri’s mission to deliver sustainable hybrid-electric aviation across defence and civilian markets.”
Robert Kamp, CEO & Senior Partner, AAMG, added:
“This partnership marks a clear step toward delivering transformative long-range regional capabilities through hybrid-electric aviation. Zuri’s manned and unmanned platforms provide class-leading performance for both cargo and civilian VTOL operations. They have a compelling vision that maximises the impact of our vertiport network and regional air mobility.”
Zuri – press@zuri.com
AAMG – press-aamg@stayambitious.world
Zuri is a Czech-based aerospace company developing hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft and unmanned aerial systems for regional passenger, cargo, and defence operations. Founded in 2017, Zuri’s mission is to enable efficient, sustainable, and accessible regional air mobility.
https://www.zuri.com
AAMG is a Netherlands-based industrial and investment group advancing electric and hybrid-electric aviation, as well as unmanned autonomous platforms, energy systems, and vertiport infrastructure.
https://stayambitious.world
Zuri is entering a pivotal chapter. With development of our hybrid electric VTOL aircraft accelerating, we spoke with the leadership team to explore what makes this moment different and why it matters.
CEO Michal Illich, CTO Predrag Kovačević, Chief Engineer Tomáš Kapoun, and CMO Robert Demmer share how Zuri is advancing real-world aviation. With more than 700 kilometers of range, SAF-compatible propulsion, and every department working side by side in Prague, Zuri is moving with purpose and precision.
“This is not about chasing trends. It’s about building something real that flies and lasts.”
Michal Illich, CEO
The full interview covers engineering breakthroughs, brand clarity, team structure, and what success looks like over the next year. Whether you are following Advanced Air Mobility or shaping its future, this conversation offers a rare inside view.
Read the full interview to see where Zuri is headed and why we are just getting started.