FutureFlight
Archer and Wisk Reach Settlement Over Trade Secrets Lawsuit
Rival eVTOL air taxi developers Archer Aviation and Wisk Aero have squashed their row over intellectual property and will now collaborate on autonomous flight technologies, the companies announced August 10.
Maker eVTOL aircraft in flight
Wisk Aero had previously alleged that Archer stole trade secrets for the development of its two-seat Maker eVTOL aircraft, shown here during its first flight test. (Photo: Archer)

Rival eVTOL air taxi developers Archer Aviation and Wisk Aero have reached a settlement in their two-year-long legal dispute over allegations of intellectual property theft. In a surprising turn of events, the two California-based competitors have agreed to collaborate on autonomous flight technology that could one day enable unpiloted, passenger-carrying air taxi operations.

In a call with investors on Thursday, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said the company intends to produce an autonomous, unpiloted version of its Midnight eVTOL air taxi in the future, and that Wisk—a Boeing subsidiary—will be Archer’s exclusive provider of autonomous flight technology.