Wisk Aero, the California-based developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has unveiled its Generation 6 air taxi, which it says is the first candidate for type certification of an autonomous eVTOL by the FAA.
The all-electric four-seat air taxi with a 36-foot wingspan will have a range of about 90 sm, with reserves, and a cruising speed of about 120 knots. It features 12 tilt-rotor propellers mounted ahead of the wings.
“In 2010, we set out to find a way to skip traffic and get to our destination faster,” Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk, said in a statement Monday. “That inspiration evolved into a mission to deliver safe, everyday flight for everyone.”
Wisk’s business model calls for its air taxis to enter the market as self-flying aircraft, monitored by an operator on the ground. The company says autonomous flight is safer because it “removes” human [pilot] error from the equation, which Wisk attests is the primary cause of most general aviation accidents. Autonomous systems are projected by Wisk to result in reliable, predictable outcomes on a consistent and repeatable basis.
Over the span of the past 12 years, the company has developed five different full-scale aircraft, culminating with the current Generation 6.
“Our 6th Generation aircraft is the culmination of years of hard work from our industry-leading team, learnings from our previous generations of aircraft, commitment from our investors, and the evolution and advancement of technology,” Gysin said.
Backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, the company is flush with cash from a $450 million investment from Boeing (NYSE: BA), which was announced in January 2022. In September, Wisk and Boeing released a comprehensive concept operations report for its uncrewed, self-flying air taxis.
The 64-page document represents the next step in Wisk’s plan to move ahead of its competitors by launching service with automated air taxis, operated by “multi-vehicle supervisors” (MVS) on the ground. Wisk’s competitors, including Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) and Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY), intend to fly passengers initially using on-board pilots, before eventually transitioning to an automated platform.
Wisk, Archer, Joby, and others are flight testing full-size prototypes of their eVTOLs. Both Archer and Joby have said they expect to achieve FAA certification in time to enter service in 2024.
Thom Patterson contributed.
