eVTOL

Spoiler: it has a hefty price tag. But then, the Aska would be a remarkable vehicle: a spacious, four-seat electric SUV with the ability to stop and fold out a set of wings and props to transform into an electric VTOL/STOL aircraft.

UPS has signed a deal to buy up to 150 eVTOL aircraft from Vermont's Beta Technologies, and is expecting to begin using them for time-sensitive zero-emissions deliveries in certain markets in 2024, taking off and landing on-site at UPS depots.

Skullduggery and shenanigans are afoot in the emerging eVTOL market, as long-established player Wisk accuses cashed-up newcomer Archer of pilfering its air taxi design, along with some key employees. Lawsuits and criminal investigations are underway.

Germany's Lilium has announced a 7-seat version of its gorgeous eVTOL air taxi, as well as plans to have a commercial operation up and running by 2024. Oh, and like approximately every other eVTOL company, it's headed to the NASDAQ through a SPAC.

A pair of ex-SpaceX Falcon 9 engineers have founded a radically different eVTOL company, offering a unique combination of convenience and long range using a fascinating multi-stage aircraft with a detachable Lift vehicle for VTOL flight phases.

Although we may like to imagine "air taxis" picking us up wherever we want, the fact is they will likely be limited to specific landing locations. With that in mind, Chinese air mobility company EHang has announced plans for a "vertiport" in Italy.

A stunning new video from Joby Aviation gives us a sense of just how revolutionary these electric VTOL air taxis will be in urban settings compared to noisy helicopters. Founder JoeBen Bevirt doesn't even have to raise his voice as it takes off.

San Francisco's Aura Aerospace is working on a remarkably odd idea: replacing batteries in electric VTOL air taxis with high-powered "Powercell" ultracapacitors capable of massive power output and 10-minute charging, in long-range hybrid setups.

We're all hoping for electric VTOL aircraft, but France's Ascendance isn't willing to wait for batteries and hydrogen to break through. The company says its Atea hybrid will deliver long-range VTOL travel with just 20 percent of a helicopter's emissions.

Meet the Maker. This is our first look at Archer Aviation's 12-rotor eVTOL air taxi, but it won't be the last. United Airlines has put in a provisional billion-dollar order for a fleet of 200 of these beasts, expecting a commercial launch in 2024.

eVTOL market leader Joby Aviation has announced its first revenue in a partnership with the US Air Force's Agility Prime program, as well as the path it's agreed on with the FAA for certifying its revolutionary tilt-rotor electric air taxi.

Gyrodynes have been around for a long time, but the electric aviation revolution might finally give them their day in the sun. Fast, efficient, well-understood and vastly safer than multirotor eVTOLs, they may have a head start in the air taxi race.