Arjun L.’s Post

Inventors have been fixated on the idea of “flying cars” for nearly as long as they have been on the road, with prototypes dating as far back as the 1940s. Innovators and investors today, however, prefer the acronym eVTOL, which stands for electric vertical take-off and landing. More than 400 companies and innovators have registered designs on the World eVTOL Aircraft Directory. Together, they have attracted billions of dollars in funding over the last decade. For some, those investments could really pay off. One Markets and Markets forecast estimated that the eVTOL market will grow from $1.2 billion in 2023 to $23.4 billion in 2030. That’s an annual average growth rate of 52%. So who’s investing where? CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal takes a look at five of the biggest companies in this space. Find out more about eVTOLs: https://cnb.cx/3TX1NIm

☁️🚕 Can Toyota-backed Joby Aviation compete with German eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) Volocopter and Lilium after $500M funding? This latest funding will support the California-based company in its race to bring eVTOL aircraft to market, with commercial flights slated to begin in 2025. 📈 While OpenAI is dominating the race of world’s most valuable startups with a valuation of $157B, apart from GenAI there are emerging technologies that are also reshaping the world. Among these is the rapidly developing field of autonomous electric flying taxis. Several major players are competing for dominance in the industry. Now, announcements are in Toyota has made substantial investments in this space, notably committing $500 million to Joby Aviation. 🤖 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiJ8CgzU JoeBen Bevirt Thomas Ruf #tech #funding #news #aviation #eVTOL #startup #investment #technology #innovation #electricvehicle #airtaxis

🔍 Lilium's eVTOL Venture: Why Did It Fail? Lilium once aimed to reshape urban air mobility with its innovative fan-jet eVTOL design. Despite the initial promise, the company faced critical challenges. Here's a breakdown of the factors that led to Lilium's setback: Financial Strain and Funding Issues Lilium’s advanced R&D and certification process required extensive funding, but delays eroded investor confidence. Increasing competition and economic instability made it harder to secure consistent capital. Technical and Engineering Hurdles The ambitious jet-powered design required advancements in propulsion and battery technology, posing significant engineering challenges. The Lilium jet struggled with noise control and balancing power-to-weight ratios, crucial for safe urban operations. Regulatory Barriers Lilium’s unique ducted-fan approach faced rigorous scrutiny from authorities like EASA and the FAA, prolonging the certification timeline. Regulatory hurdles and evolving eVTOL standards delayed Lilium’s path to commercial readiness. Competitive Pressure and Market Skepticism Competitors progressed faster, with more traditional designs that met regulatory standards more easily. Market demand was uncertain, with concerns around eVTOL safety, affordability, and infrastructure readiness. Investor Confidence Decline Lilium's stock price reflected diminishing confidence, aggravated by lack of manufacturing progress and financial uncertainty. Reliance on government support added risk, with inconsistent funding impacting long-term planning. Lessons for the eVTOL Industry: Lilium’s journey underscores the importance of setting realistic milestones, maintaining strong regulatory engagement, and managing investor relationships transparently. The eVTOL field remains promising but demands pragmatism and adaptability from future pioneers. #Aerospace #eVTOL #UrbanAirMobility #Lilium #Innovation #TechStartups #AirTaxi #ElectricAviation

Lilium is at risk. Getting a new air vehicle certified by regulators is hard to do. So many failures over the last several decades. Now Lillium and other eVTOLs pile on the additional risk and challenge of battery only power supplies and associated charging infrastructure, pilot-less autonomy, the need for massive ground infrastructure of vertiports and the local government implementation timeline and location specific political hurdles. Each of those issues alone bring schedule and cost risk. Multiply them together and the timelines and funding spiral quickly to tornado force resistance. Yes, air taxis are coming. The technology is there, that is difficult to dispute. The question is not if, but when and at what cost and under what viably profitable business model?

CHALLENGE ME ON THIS - eVTOL Aircraft are little more than a wireless extended-range cable car. Electric aircraft in General are not much different. They have a similar dependency on established ground infrastructure to support a specific A-B route. Once you understand this, you can start to effectively plan a realistic business use case for 2-6 seat electric air travel. Some hyper inflated electric aviation startups don't understand this, and they are burning millions in investor money to find it out the hard way. The global market for cable cars and ropeways was estimated to be worth US\$5 billion in 2023, and is projected to grow to US\$9.4 billion by 2030. Imaging 10x ing the range without the cost of erecting the cables. This is big business. But the ground hardware requirements to activate a route are substantial. Few know this as well as Fly On E Sustainable Aviation, who operates both electric and non electric passenger aircraft and charter operations in Australia. Let the debate begin... (AI image obvs)

I have read many posts and opinion recently regarding the eVTOL/AAM market. Mostly expressing huge cynicism, with an almost, 'I told you it wouldn't work!' attitude towards the many start-ups, that are daring to forge a way towards a more sustainable future in aviation. There are many challenges to overcome, I acknowledge that, but I prefer to stay curious and ask questions, rather than to wait for businesses to fail and be written off as a gimmick. The recent clip of Volocopter flying high over the grounds of the palace of Versailles was an incredible moment and a real statement of intent. I'm excited to see them achieve their next major milestone. Volocopter and so many others embody the entrepreneurial spirt that has brought aviation so far, in a relatively short window of time. On a personal level, it is very cool to see two industries that I love, automotive and aviation, come together, to support future progress. I watch with interest, curiosity and I am proud to support the sector in it's journey in a small way, through Cirium data and analytics. #AAM #eVTOL #Archer #Stellantis #OEM #Aviation

Sora Aviation, a Bristol-based UK startup, is making waves in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market with its innovative approach towards electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) technology. Recently featured on FINN (Farnborough International News Network), wearefinn.com, Sora Aviation's Co-Founder and CEO, Furqan -., shared insights into their groundbreaking eVTOL bus project aimed at revolutionizing urban transportation. Furqan, with extensive experience as the Technical Authority on AAM at GKN Aerospace, leads Sora Aviation's visionary initiatives. He collaborates closely with the company's CTO, Malcolm Foster, a stalwart in aircraft design with accolades from renowned organizations like Piper Aircraft, Bell Flight, and AgustaWestland. The name "Sora," meaning "Sky" in Japanese, symbolizes the company's lofty ambitions and commitment to sustainable aviation solutions. The concept of an eVTOL bus emerged from a strategic analysis of urban transportation needs and market dynamics. Recognizing the potential of dense routes such as downtown-to-airport shuttles, Sora Aviation aims to address these demands efficiently, offering zero-emission travel, reduced noise levels, and affordable ticket prices. Sora Aviation's S-1 eVTOL bus, catering to larger passenger capacities compared to conventional eVTOLs, represents a significant leap towards scalable and cost-effective urban air mobility solutions. With a targeted entry into service around 2031, the company is poised to reshape the future of urban transportation. Addressing infrastructure challenges, Sora Aviation emphasizes proactive engagement with infrastructure developers to align vertiport designs with the evolving needs of larger eVTOL aircraft. The company's strategic approach contrasts with early industry trends focused on smaller eVTOLs, driven partly by misconceptions regarding battery capabilities and operational priorities. Sora Aviation's foresight in developing larger eVTOL solutions underscores its commitment to addressing market needs effectively. Navigating certification pathways in collaboration with established air taxi companies positions Sora Aviation advantageously, leveraging existing regulatory frameworks and industry expertise. As Sora Aviation propels towards its vision of sustainable and scalable eVTOL solutions, industry stakeholders and enthusiasts can delve deeper into this transformative journey by exploring the full article on our blog. #AvfoilNews #SoraAviation #AdvancedAirMobility #eVTOL #UrbanAirMobility #SustainableAviation #Furqan #MalcolmFoster #AviationInnovation #FutureOfFlight

I just read an article in The Daily Upside about Flying Cars and eVTOLs. Hundreds of startups are investing billions into these low-emission vehicles for short regional trips. Companies like XPENG AEROHT, Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are leading with innovative designs: Xpeng Aeroht is developing a supercar with hidden propellers, while Archer and Joby use tilting propellers for both lift and horizontal push. ZEVA AERO shifted from a flying saucer to a traditional plane design. Lilium is creating electric jets for regional transport, Alef Aeronautics is designing a car that transforms into a biplane, and UrbanLink Solutions plans to use Lilium jets to connect cities in South Florida. It's not the flying cars from the Jetsons, but transformation is coming. https://lnkd.in/gVqbwEPS #mobilty #eVTOLs #startups #inovation

Storming, forming, norming... the #eVTOL segment is certainly moving through these natural cycles. Wishing the best of luck to all #competing companies navigating the challenges! There’s incredible talent and innovation driving this emerging space forward.