A leading American developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis is accusing its main overseas rival of “copying” its flagship design.
Archer Aviation on Monday filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that the design of competitor Vertical Aerospace’s Valo infringes on patents awarded for its Midnight air taxi. Archer claims Valo, unveiled in December, is “markedly different” from Vertical’s VX4 prototype and “suddenly mimics” Midnight.
