Important Innovations

  Big City Commuting to Airports                                             Source:  Archer Aviation United & CA Startup Archer Aviation United Airlines is making a strategic move to deploy e-VTOL flying taxis to bring passengers in big cities to its airport terminals.  United has placed a $1 billion order for 200 Archer Aviation electric, vertical takeoff and landing (e-VTOL) flying taxis.  To build up development money, Archer is going public in a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).  United is also investing an undisclosed amount in the new entity.  Archer will trade on the NYSE with an initial valuation estimated at $3.8 billion. Archer Flying Taxis Archer's e-VTOL can carry a pilot and 4 passengers.  All electric, it has a 60 mile range and can travel at speeds up to 158 mph.  The  vehicle goes into test flights in the first half of 2021.  It will go into mass production in 2023 and will be fully operational in 2024, according to Archer.  Bill

CEO Says Fleets of Electric Air Taxis Deployed in 2022 Source:  Volocopter Electric VTOL Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter says fleets of Volocopter air taxis will be flying in 2022.  The flying taxi is the world's 1st, manned, fully electric VTOL (vertical landing and takeoff vehicle).  It's fully sustainable, drone like technology that has been successfully flown in demonstrations in a number of global cities.  Volocopter is headquartered in Germany.  Reuter made the announcement in Davos during the 2020 World Economic Forum. 100% Electric with Zero Emissions and VoloPorts According to Volocopter, their air taxi meets international certifications to be as safe as an airliner.  It's 100% electric powered and emissions free.  The drone like VTOL can carry two passengers.  And, it's quiet with the 18 electric powered rotors on one level.  Volocopter has a whole ecosystem to support their air taxis.  Specifically VoloPorts to connect the VTOLs with inner city tr

Joby Aviation's $590 Million Investor Infusion Source:  Joby Aviation VTOL Toyota Lead Investor There's a flying taxi readying for takeoff.  Joby Aviation, which develops electric flying taxis, has secured $590 million in investment money.  Toyota is the lead player at $394 million, followed by Intel Capital, Jet Blue VC and Toyota's AI Ventures.  Joby Aviation, headquartered in northern California, has developed a very impressive VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. Electric VTOL Joby's flying taxi goes up to 200 mph, 150 miles + on a single charge, is 100-times more quiet than conventional aircraft and has zero carbon emissions.  The vehicle seats 4 passengers, vertically takes off like a helicopter and smoothly transitions to forward flight.  The $590 million is the biggest investment ever made in a flying taxi company. Big Players eVTOLs are the hottest category of flying cars.  Six urban air mobility vehicles are curren