German actuator manufacturer Volz Servos is playing a critical role in the progress of Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype programme, a piloted, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for safe, quiet, and emission-free air travel.

The Volz actuators DA 30-HT, DA 30-HT-D and DA 58-D are in use for the steerage of all control surfaces of the electrical aircraft prototype. Volz also implemented the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol in these servos.

Vertical’s VX4 is a piloted, four passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow. 

“Volz has been working with Vertical since 2019 and we are we’re proud to support the latest phases of VX4 flight testing alongside other industry leaders. Our actuators have proven their precision and reliability in a demanding flight test environment.”, says Volz-CEO Phillipp Volz.

In 2025, Vertical became only the second company in the world to achieve piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres with a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft. This was followed by a major milestone: the first-ever piloted wingborne flight of a winged electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in open airspace.