At Wisk, we’re not just building the first passenger-carrying, autonomous, electric aircraft; we’re developing the broader ecosystem needed for it to operate. Leading this effort is Sonal Baid, Wisk’s Comms and Data Services Management Lead. Sonal and her team are responsible for building the critical data and communication systems that will enable our autonomous aircraft to operate safely and seamlessly in our current airspace.
We sat down with Sonal to learn more about her role and what inspires her about Wisk’s mission.
Building the Nervous System for Autonomous Flight
Sonal’s team is focused on developing secure interfaces for data exchange with our ecosystem partners, including airlines, vertiports, and supplemental data service providers. This ensures our autonomous aircraft has the vital situational awareness it needs to fly.
“My team is essentially building the nervous system for our autonomous aircraft,” Sonal explains. “By providing it with environmental and airspace data, we allow the aircraft to understand its environment, communicate with air traffic management, and operate safely and efficiently without human intervention on board.” This is crucial because, as Sonal explains, “the ground system is providing information to the aircraft so that it could make decisions based on what is and what is not available.”
This is a unique challenge because Wisk has to integrate with a system that currently operates with piloted aircraft. Sonal’s team develops communication channels between ground and airborne systems to ensure data is secure, reliable, and delivered with minimal latency. A pilot can receive real-time updates, but an autonomous aircraft needs that data instantly to make decisions. “If a particular airspace is closed, for example, sending that information to the aircraft five minutes after it reaches would do no good,” Sonal says.
A Career Driven by Safety and Innovation
Sonal’s passion for safety and technology is deeply rooted in her career. Before joining Wisk, she led product development for a company focused on end-to-end drone solutions for public safety.
“As an aeronautical engineer, my career has consistently focused on integrating robust safety measures into product design,” she says. This background, combined with her product development experience, gave her a unique skill set to contribute to next-gen solutions at Wisk.
What excites her most is the opportunity to be at the forefront of the industry. Her team is “truly moving the needle – not just for Wisk, but for the entire future of autonomous flight.” “We are actively helping to shape and adapt to the standards of the entire aviation ecosystem,” she says.
Revolutionizing Society with Autonomous Flight
“Companies like Wisk can revolutionize society by making everyday air travel safe, efficient, and affordable,” Sonal says. This is achieved through enhanced autonomy and the electrification of the air transport industry.
Sonal and her team are developing the essential interfaces that will connect Wisk aircraft and ground systems with a robust network of external service providers. This is vital for enabling specialized services like airspace information, command and control data links, and voice communication, all of which are fundamental to operating a safe and efficient commercial air taxi service.
We’re grateful for Sonal’s contributions to not only the Comms & Data Services Team at Wisk but the broader aviation industry.