Germany's Hot Lilium eVTOL Jet

 25 Lilium Flying Taxis Go into Production 2023

Source:  Lilium

Unique Aviation Technology

Germany-based eVTOL maker Lilium is closing in on the finish line for commercial operations of its flying taxis.  It just secured $119 million in investment money from big players like American conglomerate Honeywell and China conglomerate Tencent Holdings. Some of the funding will help Lilium start production on its unique aviation technology.  In 2023, it will begin with the production of 25 of its flying taxis called Jet.  It expects to produce 250 more Jets in 2024. Jet is an all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. It doesn't require a runway for takeoff and is part of the big emerging travel trend of urban air mobility.

Unique Technology

Lilium's Jet offers unique aviation technology.  The EV relies on a large number of small electric jet engines that are integrated into the wing flaps in the front of the aircraft for vertical lift.  Most other flying taxis use rotors for lift.  Also, Lilium's rear wings point downward for vertical flight and then transition, when it hits the right threshold altitude, for horizontal flight. Lilium's aviation system is proprietary.  It's called Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) and Lilium has developed many next generations of the technology. Lilium says the DEVT system provides significant advantages in payload and aerodynamic efficiencies.  Jet has successfully undergone test flights and can hit speeds of 186 mph and has a range on a charge of 200 miles.  

Lilium Jet's Future

Lilium's business strategy looks smartly strategic.  It has designed three configurations for its flying taxis.  They include models for business, cargo and taxis services:

• 4-seat setup for business conferences while traveling 
• 6 seat passenger setups for taxi services
• Cargo only model for transporting goods, etc.

Lilium Jet requires a pilot to fly it right now, but in the future the company expects to make it autonomous. Meanwhile, the company is building its business.  Saudi Arabia's national airlines intends to buy 100 Lilium jets to establish an eVTOL network across the country.  Lilium is working with officials in Florida to set-up an air taxi network there, along with vertiports for convenient takeoffs and landings in major Florida cities.  And Lilium is working with aviation authorities in Europe, the US and elsewhere to get the regulatory approvals it needs to operate commercially in the very near future.