Results for: skai

Wisk Aero, an Advanced Air Mobility company, and Japan Airlines (JAL), a prominent international airline based in Japan, are partnering to bring Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi services to Japan. Additionally, Wisk and JAL Engineering (JALEC), will work closely together to develop plans for the maintenance and operation of Wisk’s autonomous air taxis.

“We are excited to be partnering with Japan Airlines, a highly-respected leader in aviation both in Japan and globally,” says Brian Yutko, CEO of Wisk. “Wisk and Japan Airlines share a commitment to safe, accessible transportation and to ensuring that our services provide long-term benefit to the communities that we serve. We look forward to working together to bring autonomous everyday flight to Japan and to further advancing Advanced Air Mobility in the broader APAC region.”

“We are very honored to partner with Wisk, a pioneer in autonomous eVTOL aircraft development. In Japan, the introduction of autonomous air travel is developing and we strongly feel that this partnership with Wisk is the first step towards the development of the next generation of safe air mobility in Japan,” says Ryo Tamura, CEO of JALEC.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed that establishes a framework for collaboration between the two companies, as well as between the two companies and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), and other relevant Japanese Government agencies. This will include careful consideration of regulatory requirements, safety measures, and how the community can benefit from advanced air mobility through the use of Wisk’s 6th Generation self-flying, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Specifically, the MOU establishes a framework for:

• Research towards launching fleet operations for Wisk’s 6th Generation taxi, including: type certification approval in Japan and maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements
• Supporting discussion with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and relevant Japanese Government agencies, as appropriate, on the establishment of a Wisk operation under an Air Operators Certificate in Japan in the future
• Development of a path to a demonstration flight in Japan
• Introduction of autonomous aircraft into the Japanese national airspace system

“We are thrilled to be announcing this new partnership with Japan Airlines, a partner that so closely shares our values,” says Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s APAC Regional Director. “Japan represents a large, densely populated market where air taxi services can provide real, positive impact for local communities. We look forward to further pursuing the potential introduction of our self-flying, all-electric air taxis in Japan, and are encouraged by the growing interest within the broader APAC region for these types of services.”

Why it’s important: Japan Airlines and Wisk share a commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsibility. This partnership represents the joining of these shared values to develop an enduring approach to the introduction of future autonomous air taxi operations that are part of the future integrated transportation layer in Japan. As a nation, Japan is heavily committed to a future with advanced air mobility as a key component of its transportation infrastructure.

Related:

• Seaglider manufacturer REGENT secures investment from Japan Airlines
• ANA Holdings and Joby Partner to Bring Air Taxi Service to Japan

Vmo Aircraft Leasing and H55, a leader in electric propulsion technology for aviation, have announced their collaboration to develop leasing solutions for clean aviation technologies. The partnership aims to provide leasing programs targeted at supporting the emerging market for financing electric aircraft, battery storage systems, and energy management systems.

Above: A Trainer Aircraft using H55 electric propulsion

H55, developer of electric propulsion systems such as batteries, controllers, and electric motors, has the goal of helping to make aviation a zero-emission industry by 2050. Vmo Aircraft leasing has this same vision, and the companies have now formed a collaboration to push towards this mission.

The two companies will create leasing programs for zero-emission aircraft and components that will help grow the market, demand, and developmental capacity for this propulsion type. Currently, Vmo offers liquidity and fleet solutions to airlines, lessors, and OEMs to increase operational and capital efficiency, while H55 has over 20 years of experience in creating sustainable propulsion solutions.

Vmo and H55’s first customers include OEMs, component manufacturers, and operators who are working electrification programs for both new and existing designs.

Above: Propulsion technologies created by H55

Said Robert Brown, Executive Chairman of Vmo Aircraft Leasing: “Technology and innovation are rapidly changing the aviation industry’s landscape, with emission-free aircraft designs on track to revolutionize airline fleets. With the giant addressable market, lessors will play a key role in financing electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.”

Said André Borschberg, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of H55, “As we are getting closer to commercialize clean aviation products, we believe it’s important to provide financing solutions for innovative products to facilitate the transition to sustainable aviation. A clear financial offering will make it possible to operators to fully appreciate the value they will derive from their investment. Leasing batteries with regular battery replacements, which will evolve in terms of improved performance, will move the cost of fuel to investing in technology.”

Why it’s Important: As zero-emission propulsion like H55’s gets closer to commercialization, there is a growing need for companies to provide financial solutions that will make these new technologies accessible to commercial operators. Making these systems more accessible through leasing programs will increase the volume of commercial operators who decide to begin implementing sustainable propulsion, giving it a faster track to becoming an integral part of regional air transportation.

Source // H55

Related:

• Eviation’s first all-electric airplane takes flight
• Alaska Airlines Partners with ZeroAvia to Develop the World’s Largest Zero-Emission Aircraft
• Pipistrel’s Velis Electro Set to Break 7 World Records During Flight
• Ampaire Receives Order for 6 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft from Conecta, Subsidary of Azul Airlines
• LaunchPoint Begins Shipments of Hybrid-Electric Motors

Echodyne, a Kirkland, Washington-based radar platform company, has announced a new partnership with Supernal, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group. The partnership is focused on advancing the safety of Supernal’s electric-powered, vertical-takeoff-and-landing air vehicle (eVTOL) and its associated ground-based systems. Under the agreement, Supernal will make a minority investment in Echodyne, although the exact amount has not been disclosed.

Supernal is developing an eVTOL air transport system that could go into service as early as 2028, and the new collaboration with Echodyne is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Echodyne’s radar system is expected to be used for in-flight situational awareness and ground-based tracking installations around vertiports and flight corridors. The partnership adds to Supernal’s existing collaborations with Microsoft, BAE Systems, Honeywell, and other companies on the development of an air transport system.

Echodyne, founded in 2014, is one of several spin-offs from Intellectual Ventures, based in Bellevue, Washington. The company raised $135 million in a funding round co-led by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford in 2020, bringing the total investment to $195 million. Echodyne’s unique radar-based detection capabilities are now expected to play an integral role in Supernal’s Advanced Air Mobility development, according to Ben Diachun, Supernal’s chief technology officer.

The partnership with Supernal adds to Echodyne’s existing collaborations with major players in the technology and aviation industries. The company’s radar technology has already been used in a variety of applications, from air traffic control to drone detection. The partnership with Supernal represents an important step forward in the development of its emerging aerial mobility and eVTOL markets, with a focus on enhancing safety and reliability, and advancing technological capabilities.

The timeline for commercial operations of Supernal’s aircraft will depend on the development timeline of flight technologies as well as the establishment of a regulatory system for advanced air mobility by the Federal Aviation Administration, as pioneered by Joby Aviation. Nevertheless, the collaboration between a real-world tested company like Echodyne and Supernal is an encouraging step forward for this market, as companies continue to invest in research and development to create safe, reliable, and efficient air mobility solutions.

Why it’s important: The collaboration between Supernal and Echodyne is expected to significantly advance the safety and effectiveness of Supernal’s developing air mobility system. As the industry continues to gain momentum, partnerships like these with major companies are likely to become increasingly important in achieving the goal of widespread adoption of eVTOL technology in the near future.

Source // Supernal // Echodyne

Related:

• Hyundai’s Supernal to improve eVTOL batteries with Electric Power Systems (July 2022)
• Hyundai’s Supernal to Enable Development of Advanced Air Mobility in Miami (March 2022)
• Hyundai Announces US-Based ‘Supernal’ UAM Division (November 2021)

LIFT Aircraft announced Monday the advent of their Beta program, which will allow investors that contribute $5,000 or more via StartEngine to have early access to flight training for HEXA flights at their Austin, Texas headquarters.

The company shared that they’re able to make this step forward now that they’ve completed testing of their beginner customer flight envelope in partnership with the US Air Force, and received approval from our Safety Advisory Board. LIFT has stated that this is the last step prior to their full public launch and US Tour.

LIFT has raised $18M in funding from VC’s, accredited investors, and US government grants, including over $5M from crowd sourced investing. Over 2,500 people have reportedly contributed.

In other recent news, LIFT completed the first-ever piloted eVTOL demonstration flights in Japan with the HEXA aircraft. The flights were conducted in partnership with Marubeni Corporation, with whom the Austin, Texas based company is partnering to develop and advance the eVTOL market in Japan, and with participation from GMO Internet Group.

LIFT has formally concluded Phase 1 flight test and beginner flight envelope development with the U.S. Air Force and has launched Alpha Flights, allowing people outside of their Flight Operations and Test teams to fly.

Related:

• LIFT Signs Letter of Intent For Usage in Manhattan, Charm Pre-Orders 100 HEXA PAV’s
• LIFT’s HEXA to Advance to Phase 3 Contract with USAF
• LIFT Aircraft and Parallel Flight Technologies Announce Hybrid Propulsion Partnership

Why it’s important: LIFT’s announcement would allow the public to visit LIFT’s flight test center in Austin and fly the HEXA prototype themselves for $5,000. LIFT has maintained a goal of making flying accessible to the general public and is backing up their intent by offering flight tests for a small fraction of the price of purchasing a HEXA. Additionally, these trial flight tests will offer more visibility to LIFT’s technology and enable the public to have increased visibility of the future of aerial mobility technologies.

To invest in LIFT, view the company’s StartEngine page here.

Lilium (listed on NASDAQ as LILM), developer of the all-electric vertical take-off and landing Lilium jet, has announced a capital raise for up to $250 million, with $100 million funded at close. A Form 6-K has been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission as of May 1, 2023.

This capital raise enables Lilium to continue the development of its Lilium Jet at full pace and the company states that it should cover most of the estimated capital required to achieve first manned flight of the type-conforming aircraft.

Once this development milestone is achieved, which is planned for the second half of 2024, Lilium expects to benefit from the contribution of substantial pre-delivery payments (PDPs) which will help fund its subsequent capital requirements.

Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe stated, “The capital raise announced today marks an important development in our ongoing mission to revolutionize the aviation industry. With this financing, we are excited to continue our development program at full pace. We remain in multiple constructive discussions with existing and potential new investors. We hope to announce further updates soon.”

This announcement follows a funding disclosure in November 2022 during which Lilium secured an additional $119M USD in capital from existing shareholders, new investors, and strategic partners.

Meanwhile, Lilium has expanded into the UK market with eVolare by signing a binding contract which includes pre-delivery payment for up to 20 Lilium eVTOL aircraft. The partnership includes a firm commitment for 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with an option to purchase an additional 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets at a later date.

Why it’s important: As one of the leading eVTOL developers in the race to certification and commercial service, securing a long enough financial runway to enable development and testing is critical to the company’s success. First movers in the industry will likely obtain a competitive advantage by simply being first to market and in the consumers’ view, so Lilium has evidently mitigated any deceleration on its path to certification that could have occurred due to lack of funding.

Mexico City, May 4, 2023 – Redwings, a business aviation service group that provides aircraft management, charter, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, announced today its plan to launch eVTOL air-taxi services in Mexico City, with the signing of a letter of intent to purchase up to 20 of Jaunt Air Mobility’s four-passenger Journey eVTOL aircraft. The move is part of Redwings’ strategy to expand its service offerings and meet the growing demand for on-demand air transportation.

Jaunt Air Mobility is an aerospace company that designs and develops advanced air vehicles for urban air mobility. The company’s Journey eVTOL aircraft combines a fixed wing and a rotor with patented slow-rotor compound technology, which reduces drag and vibration by lowering the speed of the main rotor to around 10 rpm during cruise flight. The aircraft is expected to have a maximum speed of 175 mph on flights of up to around 100 miles.

Redwings plans to begin operations in Mexico with 10 units, with options for 10 more, pending the completion of Jaunt’s type certification under Transport Canada Part 529 requirements in 2027. The company is confident in the Journey’s ability to operate at altitude, particularly in Mexico City, which has an elevation of 7,349 feet, higher than Denver, Colorado. According to Redwings President Bernardo Moreno, “The Journey’s highly efficient vertical flight capability enables this aircraft to operate at altitude with no performance limitations.”

Redwings currently operates a fleet of managed aircraft, including Embraer Legacy 600 and Hawker 800XPi jets, and a Bell 505 helicopter. The company also runs a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Queretaro Intercontinental Airport, around 130 miles northwest of Mexico City, and provides business aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

The addition of eVTOL air-taxi services to its portfolio will be a significant growth opportunity for Redwings, as it seeks to leverage the benefits of this technology to deliver faster and more efficient air travel options to its customers. “We are excited to partner with Jaunt Air Mobility to bring their innovative eVTOL technology to our customers,” said Moreno. “Our goal is to provide safe and reliable air-taxi services that deliver the convenience and flexibility our customers need to travel quickly and efficiently within and around Mexico City.”

Redwings’ move into the eVTOL market is in line with the growing trend towards urban air mobility and the use of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft to reduce emissions and congestion in major international cities. With its existing resources, the company is well-poised to take advantage of this trend and position itself as a leader in the aerial mobility industry in Mexico.

Why it’s important: Redwings’ announcement to launch eVTOL air-taxi services with Jaunt Air Mobility’s Journey aircraft in Mexico City represents another key area of internal growth for aerial mobility industry. The Journey aircraft’s unique slow-rotor compound technology makes it well-suited for operating at high altitudes, opening even more markets for the aircraft. Additionally, Redwings’ investment in eVTOL technology with its strong presence in Mexico City highlights the potential for eVTOLs to integrate with existing aviation services and infrastructure.

Related:

• BLADE Air Mobility signs MoU with Jaunt for Operations in India (April 2023)
• Jaunt and MintAir partner to launch aerial mobility service in South Korea (September 2022)
• AIRO Group, parent company of Jaunt, prepares for IPO (April 2022)
• L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft (April 2022)

ZeroAvia has announced a major partnership with Alaska Airlines to develop a 76-passenger, hydrogen fuel-cell powered aircraft. The aircraft will be a Bombardier Q400, which was provided to ZeroAvia by Alaska Airlines. ZeroAvia will retrofit the Q400 with hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion to make it the first of its kind.

ZeroAvia, a major developer of hydrogen-electric powertrains for commercial aircraft, has already had great success in setting multiple hydrogen propulsion records in flight-tested aircraft.

Through this partnership, ZeroAvia was officially provided with a retired Alaska Airlines Bombardier Q400. Thanks to this donation, ZeroAvia will be able to convert the Dash-8 airframe into the largest hydrogen-powered aircraft ever to take flight.

At the partnership event, ZeroAvia also debuted its multi-megawatt modular electric motor system in a 1.8MW prototype, which featured a live demonstration with a propeller spin on ZeroAvia’s ground-test rig. When combined with ZeroAvia’s in-house developed higher temperature PEM fuel cells and advanced power electronics, this advanced electric motor technology becomes one of the crucial elements needed to make hydrogen fuel cell engines commercially viable for larger aircraft.

ZeroAvia’s 15-ton “HyperTruck” ground-test rig

Said Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, “Demonstrating this size of aircraft in flight, powered entirely by novel propulsion, would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Launching this program puts us on track for a test flight next year, and accelerates our progress toward the future of zero-emission flight for Alaska Airlines and for the world at large.”

ZeroAvia plans is targeting a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027. The company has already demonstrated a successful test flight this January of a 19-seat aircraft with its prototype 600kW hydrogen-electric engine (ZA600), and has secured $10B in pre-orders from a number of major global airlines. The company is on track for commercial operations of retrofitted aircraft by 2025.

Alaska Airlines established a collaboration with ZeroAvia in 2021, and made a major investment in the company to facilitate the advancement of zero emissions propulsion technology for regional aircraft.

Why it’s important: As one of the largest airlines in the U.S. with a broad regional network, Alaska is has an exceptional opportunity to begin integrating zero-emissions propulsion technology into its regional fleet. Through this partnership, ZeroAvia will be given a chance to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen-propulsion for larger aircraft, and Alaska Airlines will be able to set a precedent for zero-emissions regional transportation.

Source // Alaska Airlines, Electrek

Related:

• ZeroAvia Achieves ‘Record-Breaking’ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Performance (March 2023)
• ZeroAvia Achieves First Flight of its Hydrogen-Electric Prototype (January 2023)
• Hydrogen-Powered ZeroAvia Aircraft Takes Flight (August 2019)

Celeros, the next generation of mixed-reality games, has been announced and plans to include a premier racing experience as well as create real-world professional pathways.

Through ‘Play2Impact’, developed by media and entertainment company and Celeros creator and owner, Saltwater Games, players in Celeros will be able to compete to earn in-game digital assets which they can use in a host of ways, including investing in realworld causes.

With 3.24bn active gamers around the world, Play2Impact has the potential to drive real change. Through an official partnership with Airspeeder, the world’s first crewed racing eVTOL series, AirspeederXR will be the first race series to take part in Celeros, and will be a game brought to fruition by developers of titles such as Gran Turismo, WipEout, and Need for Speed, to ensure a dynamic and authentic racing experience.

Len Findlay, CEO of Saltwater Games, said: “We’re dedicated to creating a worldleading gaming experience that combines modern and future motorsport with an innovative game economy that supports real-world environmental projects. We’re using the latest technology to build a community where gamers can come together to race and learn, all while making a positive impact on our planet. With Celeros, players will be able to enjoy the excitement of competitive mixed-reality racing while also engaging in Play2Impact, a groundbreaking initiative that allows gamers and partners alike to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people.”

Matt Pearson, CEO of Airspeeder, said: “Celeros will push the envelope of what is achievable when gamers come together, revolutionizing impact through gameplay. The first doors into the world of Celeros are now open and we’re inviting people to take part in a new pilot academy to learn more about the AirspeederXR Race Series and the vehicles they will be able to fly.”

Celeros is set in the near future at the dawn of a new golden age for humankind. It will include a multiplayer racing experience, augmented by real-world physics data, and will allow racing and flying enthusiasts the opportunity to learn, race, configure their speeder, and hone their skills with a chance to become a real pilot when Airspeeder launches its crewed racing series this year.

Why it’s important: Airspeeder’s inclusion in Celeros represents an opportunity for increased exposure of aerial mobility companies to a new and diverse audience as well as a way to develop personal connections and excitement toward these new types of technology. Further, licensing revenues from the agreement should also help propel Airspeeder forward as they continue to work toward launching their crewed racing series this year. And finally, the launch of Celeros includes an online academy that helps educate participants about Collision Avoidance Systems and Airspeeder/eVTOL technologies.

To further advance it’s electric aircraft charging solutions towards commercialization, Electro.aero has formed partnerships with SkyPortz, Altaport, Aerovy Mobility, and Greenstar Aviation. All of these partnerships seek to enhance Electro.aero’s offerings for turnkey electric aircraft charging solutions.

Featured rendering of one of Electro.aero’s RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200 in action

In order to perfect its electric aircraft charging solutions, Electro.aero has partnered with several different companies who will assist with software, leasing, and infrastructure development. With these partnerships, Electro.aero seeks to be able to “install world leading, high tech aircraft charging solutions with fully integrated smart software for electricity and traffic management, all at minimal upfront cost”, according to CEO and CoFounder Richard Charlton.

The four new partnerships announced by Electro.Aero are:

Skyportz – A highly-noted developer of vertiport infrastructure focused on securing access to optimal sites for vertiports. With a growling portfolio of dedicated sites across Australia, Skyportz is assisting property developers and owners in preparing for future eVTOL air taxi and cargo services.

Aerovy Mobility – A developer of electric charging software for advanced air mobility. When integrated with Electro.Aero chargers and battery energy storage systems, Aerovy software will enable dynamic pricing of aircraft charging services based on machine learning of supply and demand patterns. This will ensure that providers of charging services can guarantee that every aircraft can be charged as needed for high volumes of fllights with quick turn-around times, while minimizing electricity costs from the grid.

Altaport – An established provider of automation software for airports, heliports, vertiports, and droneports. When integrated with Electro.Aero charging infrastructure, Altaport software will manage charging slots by pre-booking and queue control of incoming aircraft needing to be charged. By providing real-time information about available chargers and pricing to aircraft operators, Altaport software will maximize the utilization of charging assets and minimize aircraft turnaround time.

Greenstar Aviation Partners – Developer of structured leasing solutions for electric aircraft and charging infrastructure. With an extensive background in the sustainable aviation sector and long-standing experience in global leasing of aviation assets, Greenstar’s financial solutions enable aviation customers to acquire the infrastructure they need to enable electric aviation.

Why it’s important: These new partnerships by Electro.aero will allow the company to provide fully-integrated, turnkey electric aircraft charging solutions to aircraft operators, vertiport developers, airports, manufacturers and more. This total system will give Electro.aero advantage over other providers, as it allows the company to offer a product that many vertiport developers will be able to purchase to have every charging system need provided.

As the eVTOL air mobility industry continues to grow and demand for electric aircraft charging solutions does as well, Electro.aero’s early start on providing comprehensive solution will be give it a significant competitive edge. Additionally, systems like Electro.aero’s will make it much easier for many potential veriport site owners to consider and launch vertiports in expanded areas, eventually meaning ventiports in more locations.

Related:

• Skyportz to Close Fundraising Round following $18M Federal Grant
• Altaport and Partners Prepare for Vertiport Automation
• Electro.Aero Releases New Line of Electric Aircraft Chargers
• ASTM Publishes International Standards for Vertiports

Source // Eelctro.aero Press release

Guardian Agriculture, a Massachusetts-based eVTOL company that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing systems for sustainable farming, has become the first commercially authorized eVTOL of its size in the United States after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This achievement has positioned Guardian Agriculture as a leader in the autonomous utility eVTOL space and one of the first to address a fast-growing agricultural use case.

The Guardian SC1 platform is the only autonomous, electric, aerial crop protection system designed specifically for large-scale agriculture. Unlike existing unmanned autonomous systems, Guardian Agriculture designs and manufactures its system entirely within the US, supporting US competitiveness in this industry.

The Guardian SC1 can carry 200-pound payloads and address a wide range of application spray volumes and application needs for growers. With four six-foot propellers and a 15-foot aircraft width, the SC1 efficiently covers 40 acres per hour of full-field crop protection to the grower.

According to Guardian Agriculture CEO Adam Bercu, eVTOL-powered crop protection is better for crops, better for the environment, and better for growers’ bottom line. Bercu added, “We designed our system to meet the needs of commercial agriculture. Solving this real-world pain point is the right first step for eVTOL adoption at large. FAA approval represents an important turning point for American leadership in this fast-growing market.”

Guardian Agriculture expects to be the first eVTOL manufacturer with systems operating at scale across the country and the first to generate thousands of hours of commercial flight time with this approval. The company will begin commercial operations in support of its Wilbur-Ellis customer in California in the coming months as it continues to ramp up its production capacity.

Why it’s important: The FAA approval of Guardian Agriculture’s eVTOL aircraft represents a significant milestone for the electric air mobility industry. The Guardian SC1 platform is the first fully-autonomous, electric, and American-made eVTOL aircraft to receive approval for commercial operations in the United States. This approval not only positions Guardian Agriculture as a leader in the utility eVTOL space, but it also marks a turning point for American leadership in the fast-growing market.

The SC1’s precise and safe delivery of crop protection with digital precision, while providing comprehensive coverage at the same or lower costs than traditional ground spraying equipment, showcases the potential of eVTOL aircraft in agriculture and beyond. The successful commercial operation of the SC1 across the country will generate thousands of hours of flight time, demonstrating the safety and reliability of eVTOL systems and paving the way for further adoption and innovation in the upcoming larger aerial mobility industry.

Source // PR Newswire

Related:

• Ryse Recon Prototype Completes First Piloted Flight (August 2022)
• EHang Unveils Heavy-lift AAV for Short-to-Medium-Haul Aerial Logistics (October 2022)

Joby has announced in a press release today it has signed a long-term agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation to supply key powertrain and actuation components for the production of the the company’s eVTOL production model.

The agreement builds on the long-standing partnership between Joby and Toyota, which has seen the two companies collaborate on a wide variety of projects to support the production and assembly of the Joby aircraft, including advising on the design of Joby’s pilot production line in Marina, CA. Toyota is also Joby’s largest external shareholder, having invested around $400 million in Joby.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, commenting on the agreement, said: “Our partnership with Toyota continues to be an integral part of Joby’s success, from assisting in the design of our pilot production line in Marina, California, to supplying key components for our aircraft.”

“I’m grateful for Toyota’s unwavering dedication to Joby as we work together to deliver a new form of fast, quiet and emissions-free mobility for cities and communities around the world. Their expertise and knowledge has helped put us on track to deliver, at scale, an aircraft that we believe is truly best-in-class.”

The components, designed by Joby and manufactured by Toyota, will be delivered to Joby’s powertrain and electronics manufacturing facility in San Carlos, California, before the finished assemblies are shipped to the company’s pilot production line in Marina for integration. Intended to prove out scalable tooling and processes at low volumes in advance of aircraft production at full scale, Joby’s Marina facilities were designed with Toyota’s help, leveraging decades of experience delivering reliable, high-quality cars at high volume.

Toyota Motor Corporation Connected Company President Keiji Yamamoto added: “We are very pleased to have reached this milestone with our key partner.  Our mutual goal is mass production of eVTOL and helping Joby apply the best practices of the Toyota Production System in meeting high quality, reliability, safety, and strict cost standards.

 “We are excited about the potential for further collaboration as we seek to realize Mobility for All with a seamlessly integrated air-to-ground mobility network.”

Why it matters: Toyota’s manufacturing prowess and technical expertise in powertrain components is a valuable addition to Joby’s technical acumen. Toyota’s $400M USD investment will also help Joby get to certification and commercialization faster than other eVTOL makers, giving it a strong competitive advantage.

Source: Joby Press Release

Related:

• Joby Finalizes Assembly of Company-conforming aircraft (March 2023)
• Joby Completes Second Stage of Certification Process (February 2023)
• Delta and Joby to Partner for Seamless Home-to-Airport Transportation (October 2022)
• Joby Aviation Acquires Uber Elevate, Receives Airworthiness Approval from U.S Military (December 2020)

Whisper Aero, nascent developer of ultra low noise electric ducted fans, just announced $32 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Menlo Ventures, EVE Atlas, Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund and Connor Capital with additional participation from Kindred Ventures, Abstract Ventures, Moving Capital, AeroX Ventures, Cosmos Ventures, Linse Capital and LaunchTN.

Whisper says it has developed a first of its kind electric ducted fan propulsion system that’s both quieter and more efficient than anything currently on the market. “If you want to get to scale with delivery drones or eVTOL air taxis, you better be really quiet,” Moore said. “You’ve got to be quiet enough that you’re not disruptive to those communities.”

The propulsion system has been designed such that can be scaled up or down for custom applications. Over the past two years, the company has designed, built and flown nine generations of this propulsor. They’ve settled on a product that both reduces the amplitude and that shifts the tonal profile of the noise to something significantly less cacophonous than traditional aircraft propulsion systems. The company says they’ve even been able to tune some of the frequencies into the ultrasonic, beyond what the human ear can detect.

Whisper plans to focus its initial commercialization efforts with the U.S. Department of Defense, an agency that they’ve already been working with for testing. Whisper has scored a handful of small government contracts from the DOD, including the Air Force Research Lab, to validate their propulsor.

The relevance of a quiet aircraft to the DOD is likely obvious. Whisper has validated that it can fly a 55-pound drone with its electric ducted fan at an altitude of 200 feet that is completely undetectable, at least by noise, from the ground. To put that in context, Moore said Boeing’s popular military drone, the Insitu ScanEagle, would need to fly at least 3,000 feet above to not be heard.

Whisper Aero is headquartered in Crossville, TN roughly halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, and emerged from “stealth mode” back in 2021 when it had announced over $7.5M USD in funding from investors, including Robert Downey Jr, Menlo Ventures, Lux Capital, and Kindred Ventures. The newly acquired $32 million will support the company’s rapid workforce and facility expansion efforts, alongside continued research and development testing.

Why it’s important: Noise and performance have long been tradeoffs in the design and manufacturing of propulsion systems. Whisper COO Ian Villa said the team has taken a first principles approach to propulsion and noise, starting with the most basic questions about how to turn electricity into thrust. Thus, the company has seemingly been able to minimize weight and noise while also producing a high-performance motor. Application of this technology in UAM aircraft has potential to hugely increase the likelihood of receiving buy-in from municipal regulatory agencies as well as general public acceptance.

Specialist consultancy company MGI Engineering has launched its a program to develop and manufacture a cargo eVTOL. MGI CEO and Founder Mike Gascoyne officially unveiled its fully functional technology demonstrator at the eVTOL Insights’ London Conference on Wednesday 19th April 2023.

MGI and Gascoyne are applying Formula 1 development philosophies and mindset to the cargo eVTOL market.

“Lightweight composite structures with a highly-efficient, fast-paced iterative design processes are key elements of the company’s approach to tackling the challenges that the cargo eVTOL industry presents and it aims to provide these consultancy services throughout the cargo eVTOL industry.” the company said in a press release this week.

MGI Engineering’s prowess stems from its decades of experience at the pinnacle of motorsport, F1 – a tenure that is reflected through its senior staff and its CEO Mike Gascoyne himself – who has previously worked at McLaren, Tyrrell, Sauber, Renault, Toyota before setting up the Lotus F1 Team through MGI in 2009.

MGI Engineering has been developing cargo eVTOL technologies for the past year, with the aim to provide these services to the wider industry. This effort has culminated in its Mosquito autonomous technology demonstrators for cargo applications. The vehicles are being developed to showcase MGI’s vision, know- how, and approach to the cargo UAV market. Developing ultra-lightweight structural composite designs are a key factor to ensure aerial vehicles can achieve their missions effectively and efficiently. MGI’s solution focuses on a configurable design with two variants of its demonstrator technology; the first is a tilt rotor configuration, with two rotors on each corner capable of tilting from 45 degrees in the forward direction to, 45 degrees rearward. The second features eight rotors with direct drive motors distributed across four wings and all four wings use MGI’s proprietary tilt mechanism that is used to control pitch and roll. This variant is able to take-off vertically and fully transition to winged flight for long distance missions. The modular approach to this vehicle, where wings and rotors can be configured according to the mission profile, allows for scalable common platforms using common battery modules to ensure cost performing kilometre-per-mile solutions for cargo delivery. The vehicle platform concept has also been designed to be scaled-up efficiently to payload capable vehicles carrying up to 500kg. The platform sharing solutions are inspired by Mike’s experience of working with the automotive industry throughout his career.

Mike Gascoyne, CEO of MGI Engineering, said: “We are really proud to announce our cargo eVTOL technology demonstrator programme at this year’s eVTOL Insights’ Conference. We believe that developing sustainable electric aviation vehicles combined with our unique expertise and experience from Formula 1 of lightweight hybrid composite vehicles is the future of the transport industry and will ease the strain on current methods whilst decarbonising multiple sectors. We are very happy to have a fully working demonstrator vehicle that has passed all our tests to date including fully transitioning from vertical to horizontal flight. We’re excited to see where our development journey takes us and look forward to solving the unique and novel challenges the industry presents us with. We also want to invite clients, partners and investors to join our vision to develop highly efficient cargo UAV solutions. MGI Engineering, as a cargo eVTOL consultancy service, understands in order to bring aerial vehicles successfully to market requires a multi-disciplinary team across multiple industries.”

Why it matters: Gascoyne and MGI enter a crowded space of eVTOL makers, but the firm’s techincal prowess on F1 technology could prove useful and help to create a technical advantage over other designs. It is unclear from the press release how fare along their technology demonstrator is with respect to certification or delivery. Expect more news as this program and MGI Engineering develop.

Source: MGI Engineering Press Release

H2FLY, the Stuttgart-based developer of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, has successfully passed liquid hydrogen on-ground filling tests with the newly developed liquid hydrogen tank which is integrated into its HY4 aircraft.

The efforts are part of the European project HEAVEN, a consortium of five partners to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid, cryogenic hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain in aircraft, led by H2FLY. H2FLY has successfully passed the filling tests of the new liquid hydrogen storage system which is designed and supplied by its project partner Air Liquide based on H2FLY’s requirements. The filling procedure took place in preparation for the forthcoming coupling tests in which the liquid hydrogen storage system will be coupled with the fuel cell system to form a complete hydrogen-electric powertrain. H2FLY led the test campaign on Air Liquide’s Campus Technologies Grenoble, in Sassenage, France together with Air Liquide.

This filling milestone follows the company’s announcement in November 2022 that it had started the mechanical integration of Air Liquide’s liquid hydrogen tank into H2FLY’s fuel cell-powered aircraft HY4 after the tank passed the vibration and LH2 leakage tests in September 2022.

Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY says “The successful on-ground filling tests today, mark the next milestone in our pursuit to doubling the range of our HY4 aircraft. It is a critical step for our upcoming flight test campaign this summer, which will demonstrate the feasibility of liquid hydrogen as a fuel for medium and long-haul flight.”

For more than 10 years, H2FLY has been researching, testing, and refining, resulting in the development of the HY4, a four-seat aircraft with hydrogen-electric propulsion, that first took flight in 2016. There have been several key milestones across the past three years, including:

• In 2020 H2FLY was granted a permit to fly the latest generation of the HY4 aircraft, which featured a fully redundant powertrain architecture. Across more than 100 take-offs the company successfully demonstrated the applicability of hydrogen-electric propulsion solutions in aviation
• In 2021 the company signed a strategic partnership with aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft that will see the companies work together to fly a CS25 class aircraft powered by H2FLY’s hydrogen fuel cell technology. The climate-neutral regional aircraft demonstrator is expected to fly in 2025
• Earlier last year, the company completed a cross-country flight, from Stuttgart, Germany to Friedrichshafen, covering 77 miles, marking the first time a hydrogen-powered passenger plane has flown between two commercial airports
• Also last year, the company set what is believed to be a world altitude record for a hydrogen aircraft, flying at 7,230 feet, confirming the company’s position as a leader in this new category

Why it’s important: By reaching this milestone, the consortium demonstrates world-leading experience in liquid hydrogen refueling operations and liquid hydrogen handling on board of an aircraft. H2FLY resides amongst a small collective of groups advancing the boundaries of hydrogen flight, signaling high likelihood of practical alternative energy-powered flight in the near future.