In this episode we speak with Cindy Comer, VP of SMS Certification and Quality at Wisk, about building the safety foundation for autonomous air taxis. Cindy shares her path from electrical engineering and systems integration into certification, and explains why she values requirements flow down, test planning, and working directly with regulators.

She reflects on joining Merlin Labs as an early employee, building certification and quality functions from scratch, and how startup environments force you to learn fast, own outcomes, and create lean processes.

The conversation then shifts to Wisk’s mission of safe everyday flight for everyone, and what it takes to certify an autonomous aircraft as an OEM. Cindy breaks down the industry challenges around autonomy, public trust, and regulation, and explains how safety management systems and quality help scale advanced air mobility responsibly.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

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