Important Innovations

   Big Competition for $49 Billion Helicopter Industry                                                                                Source:  AIR AIR's Flying Taxis 200 companies around the world are developing eVTOLs that could prove to be big disruptors of the $49 billion helicopter industry. Flying taxi company AIR is a primary example with impressive tech: Israel and California based AIR has developed a powerful, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) with a multi-market focus, including displacing helicopters as transit to and from yachts AIR is partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to build an air taxi business within the yachting community to ferry passengers, cargo and supplies back and forth between yachts and the shore The sales pitch:  eVTOL air taxis are safer with far fewer parts that can break down, much cheaper, emit zero emissions and operate with much greater efficiency than helicopters SeaKeepers, which is an educational o

   Big Competition for $49 Billion Helicopter Industry                                                                                Source:  AIR AIR's Flying Taxis 200 companies around the world are developing eVTOLs that could prove to be big disruptors of the $49 billion helicopter industry. Flying taxi company AIR is a primary example with impressive tech: Israel and California based AIR has developed a powerful, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) with a multi-market focus, including displacing helicopters as transit to and from yachts AIR is partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to build an air taxi business within the yachting community to ferry passengers, cargo and supplies back and forth between yachts and the shore The sales pitch:  eVTOL air taxis are safer with far fewer parts that can break down, much cheaper, emit zero emissions and operate with much greater efficiency than helicopters SeaKeepers, which is an educational o

  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 fo

  Archer Aviation's Midnight                                             Source:  Archer Aviation Targets Commercial Operations Late 2024 - 2025 San Jose, California-based Archer Aviation has unveiled its flagship air taxi, Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle). Company Co-founder and CEO Adan Goldstein says that Midnight is likely to be the first flying taxi to be certified by the FAA and to fly in the US by late 2024.  250 of these 12-rotor, all-electric, zero emissions and very low noise level aircraft will be commercially launched in 2025 in a partnership with United Airlines. They will serve as a network of air taxis for urban air mobility in the US.  The eVTOLs carry a pilot and 4 passengers. Mission, Purpose & Tech Specs Midnight is designed to fly a 100-mile range on a charge.  But it will start flying city routes, like downtown to the airport and back, and will focus on 20-mile, back-to-back short hops with ten-minute charging sessions built in

  Archer Aviation's Midnight                                                                                        Source:  Archer Aviation Targets Commercial Operations Late 2024 - 2025 San Jose, California-based Archer Aviation has unveiled its flagship air taxi, Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle). Company Co-founder and CEO Adan Goldstein says that Midnight is likely to be the first flying taxi to be certified by the FAA and to fly in the US by late 2024.  250 of these 12-rotor, all-electric, zero emissions and very low noise level aircraft will be commercially launched in 2025 in a partnership with United Airlines. They will serve as a network of air taxis for urban air mobility in the US.  The eVTOLs carry a pilot and 4 passengers. Mission, Purpose & Tech Specs Midnight is designed to fly a 100-mile range on a charge.  But it will start flying city routes, like downtown to the airport and back, and will focus on 20-mile, back-to-back short hops

  United Airlines & Archer Aviation's Midnight Air Taxis                                               Source:  Archer Aviation 1st Route:  Newark International Airport to NYC United Airlines and Archer Aviation have just announced the first air taxi route in the United States.  The two collaborators will start air taxi service out of Newark Liberty International Airport to downtown Manhattan and then expand services to connect many other cities to their nearby airports.  The Archer air taxis are called Midnight and they are eVTOLs, which are all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  The air taxis will fly from Newark International to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York City.  Archer says their flying taxi route is a first in the US.  Bold Innovation The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams called the first route "bold innovation", and he is thrilled that the service will start in New York City.  Archer's Midnight is expected to go into service in

  Honeywell Leads Effort to Bring Air Taxis to Cities in Europe                                                  Source: UMiles Next Urban Air Mobility Moves Forward Spain-based UMiles Next, which specializes in unmanned aircraft systems, has just completed a series of test flights on its autonomous, Integrity eVTOL air taxi concept.  eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles), can take off and land like a helicopter and don't usually require a runway, which makes them very convenient. The test flights on Integrity included the air taxi's autonomous systems for take-off, landings and collision-avoidance.  Importantly, the flight tests included Integrity flying with a number of other unmanned aircraft.  The tests were successful.  The purpose was to demonstrate that autonomous aircraft are safe, reliable and can be seamlessly integrated into urban air spaces in the very near future. Flight Test Consortium At this time, Integrity can carry two people, reach speeds up

South Korea's Plana  eVTOLs                                                  Source:  Plana Target:  Intercity Travel South Korean startup Plana is developing a 7-seat hybrid-electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) for intercity, regional commuter flights.  The company, founded by the executive who ran Hyundai's early eVTOL operations, plans to put their flying taxis into service in 2028.  The technology is specifically designed for longer haul, intercity flights such as Boston to New York City.  The vehicle has a 350-mile range on a charge and can travel at speeds up to 217 mph. Thus far, the company has raised nearly $10 million in investment funding.  Tech Specs The design of Plana's flying taxi is unique.  The fuselage is long and thin and flows into an upper main wing. The eVTOL is powered and propelled by 6, five-blade tilting electric propellers.  There also is a canard, which is a small winglike projection attached in front of the main wing to provide

  United Airlines Buys 100 Midnight Flying Taxis Pre-Debut                                      Source:  Archer Aviation Air Taxis Official Midnight Unveiling in Mid-November 2022 California-based Archer Aviation will unveil the first production ready version of its eVTOL Midnight on November 16, 2022, in San Jose. This flying taxi is very successful "sight unseen", as the eVTOL technologies and the engineering underpinning it are so impressive.  United Airlines has placed a down payment of $10 million to buy 100 Midnights to fly passengers to and from its major hubs.  And Archer has partnered with global automaker Stellantis (Chrysler, Fiat) to develop the eVTOL and to achieve manufacturing scale for full manufacturing production of the aircraft for global sales.  Midnight is a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can carry 4 passengers and a pilot.  It is designed to play a significant role in the emerging urban air mobility market to particularly fly c

  X2 Flying Taxi Successfully Flies for 90 Minutes in Dubai                                        Source:  Dubai & XPeng Dubai as an Innovation Capital In Dubai, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng just made history by successfully completing the 1st public test flight of its eVTOL flying taxi X2.  X2 is a 2-seat air taxi that is fully electric and vertically takes-off and lands like a helicopter.  The intelligent, flying mobility system was cleared by Dubai authorities for flying and flew for 90 minutes at a public event called Skydive Dubai.  XPeng executives call the X2 "3D transportation" in which everyone can fly. Unique Flying Capabilities The X2 is specifically designed for low altitude, city flying capabilities.  It is meant for short-haul flights and has a maximum flight speed of 81mph.  The X2 will go into mass production in 2024.  XPeng executives say the next generation of the flying taxi will be electric, highly intelligent, have vertical takeoff and

   X2 Flying Taxi Successfully Debuts & Flies in Dubai                                        Source:  Dubai & XPeng Dubai as an Innovation Capital In Dubai, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng just made history by successfully completing the 1st public test flight of its eVTOL flying taxi X2.  X2 is a 2-seat air taxi that is fully electric and vertically takes-off and lands like a helicopter.  The intelligent, flying mobility system was cleared by Dubai authorities for flying and flew for 90 minutes at a public event called Skydive Dubai.  XPeng executives call the X2 "3D transportation" in which everyone can fly. Unique Flying Capabilities The X2 is specifically designed for low altitude, city flying capabilities.  It is meant for short-haul flights and has a maximum flight speed of 81mph.  The X2 will go into mass production in 2024.  XPeng executives say the next generation of the flying taxi will be electric, highly intelligent, have vertical takeoff and

  Delta to Invest Up to $200 Million in eVTOL Maker Joby Aviation                                             Source:  Joby Aviation Flying Taxis Are Right on the Horizon Delta Airlines is making a big bet on the future of flying taxis.  It is partnering with leading, California-based eVTOL maker Joby Aviation to deliver "Home to Airport" flying taxi services.  Delta just made a $60 million investment in Joby for a 2% stake in the company. Delta has the option to invest $200 million in Joby if Joby reaches certain operational milestones. The partnership's goal is to push air taxis forward to become fully operational in the commercial marketplace.   Tech Specs Joby's 5-seat aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle that's a cross between a helicopter and a drone. It's propelled by 6 tilt-rotors and battery powered electric motors.  It can hit speeds of 200 mph and has a range of 150 miles on a charge. The flying taxi prototype has flo