Defunct electric aircraft startup Lilium’s tech lives on over at Archer

The story of Lilium, once a promising electric aircraft startup, takes an unexpected turn as its technological legacy is salvaged by Archer Aviation. Though Lilium filed for insolvency a year ago, the narrative didn’t conclude there. Several attempts to restructure the company fell short, including a last-minute bid from Mobile Uplift Corporation, backed by investors from Europe and North America, to acquire the assets of Lilium’s subsidiaries. After an extensive competitive bidding process overseen by a bankruptcy administrator, Archer emerged victorious, securing Lilium's patent assets for €18 million (approximately $21 million). This win puts Archer ahead of competitors like Ambitious Air Mobility Group and Joby Aviation, the latter of which confirmed its participation in the bidding. Founded in 2015, Lilium aimed to innovate with its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, boasting speeds of up to 100 km/h. Despite raising over $1 billion from major investors, including Tencent, and securing a substantial order for 100 electric jets from Saudi Arabia, the company struggled financially and failed to bring a product to market before its decline. The patents acquired by Archer encompass essential eVTOL technologies, such as high-voltage systems, flight controls, ducted fans, and sophisticated aircraft designs. An Archer spokesperson highlighted that this acquisition significantly enriches the company’s intellectual property portfolio, which now exceeds 1,000 global patent assets. While Archer has not disclosed specific plans for utilizing these patents, the technology could be instrumental for light-sport or regional electric flight, steering the company beyond its original air taxi focus. In 2021, Archer went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company and has since expanded its ambitions, recently unveiling a defense program in collaboration with weapons manufacturer Anduril to develop a hybrid gas-and-electric-powered VTOL aircraft for critical military uses.