Advanced Air Mobility

Another startup has emerged to join the growing number of companies targeting the unmanned air logistics market.

EHang’s longer-range eVTOL; Aska flying car; Pipistrel cargo UAV for China; Xwing autonomy demo; and ANA flies Wingcopter.

Volocopter is to set up a test route for its VoloDrone unmanned cargo aircraft in its home city of Bruchsal, Germany, in a joint project with logistics company DB Schenker.

Skydweller Aero has flight tested the control system to be used in conversion of the Solar Impulse 2 solar-powered round-the-world aircraft into a long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

China’s EHang has unveiled plans for a longer-range electric air taxi, the inter-city VT30, as well as a the two-seat intracity EH216 piloted version.

With some 100 companies vying to enter the advanced air mobility industry, the competition was bound to get bloody sooner or later.

Designing an eVTOL vehicle is challenging, and designing one that can be driven on the road as well as flown is more challenging.

ANA’s parent company has completed initial medical drone delivery trials as it works toward establishing a delivery network in Japan.

EASA has issued guidance for drone design verification for medium-risk uses that require authorization from a national aviation authority.

With more than 100 companies vying to enter the nascent advanced air mobility industry, the competition was always going to get bloody sooner or later.

Joby Aviation plans to deliver two of its electric vertical-lift aircraft to the U.S. Air Force this year for flight testing, to be followed by more in 2022 and potentially 2023 under the Agility Prime program.

Blade Urban Air Mobility has struck a deal with Beta Technologies to secure up to 20 Alia electric air taxis.

Agricultural eVTOL; Quiet electrics; South Korean UAM; 3D-printed RF; and Europe’s electric potential.

Australian startup Swoop Aero has completed three months of medical drone deliveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivering more than 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses on long-range flights.

Three years after first investing in Zipline, Toyota has partnered with the U.S.-based drone delivery startup to develop a national-scale medical delivery network to improve access to health care in Japan.

UPS announced on April 7 that it plans to purchase up to 150 Beta Technologies’ Alia electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to augment package deliveries in small and midsize markets.

Korea Aerospace Industries plans to enter the urban air mobility market as part of a new strategy to make the South Korean manufacturer the No. 1 aerospace company in Asia by 2030.

Agriculture is the latest market to get the electric vertical flight treatment, with crop protection startup Guardian Agriculture emerging from stealth with a $10.5 million seed funding round.

A look into the U.S. Army’s unconventional approach for replacing the RQ-7B.

With more than 100 companies trying to break into the nascent urban air mobility market, it is perhaps inevitable that some of the vehicle designs look similar. But Boeing-backed Wisk sees enough similarities between one of its designs and new entrant Archer’s aircraft that it has filed a lawsuit.

Honeywell is to supply more systems for Pipistrel’s Nuuva V300 unmanned cargo aircraft.

Circular design for sustainability; Measuring quiet sonic booms; South Korean UAM; Wisk trial; and S-70 OPV.

SPAC merger will take Lilium public and fund certification and commercial launch of its regional air mobility eVTOL air taxi.

South Korea’s Hanwha Systems plans to invest 450 billion won ($400 million) in urban air mobility over the next three years.

The UK Ordnance Survey’s Astigan high-altitude pseudo-satellite project has been ended after the initiative was unable to secure a suitable strategic partner.