Archer Aviation Acquires Wisk Aero in Major eVTOL Industry Deal
This week marked notable developments in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, with significant transactions underscoring the industry’s consolidation efforts as companies strive for revenue amidst ongoing regulatory challenges. Archer Aviation has acquired former rival Wisk Aero as part of this evolving landscape.
In a deal orchestrated by Boeing, Archer Aviation gained ownership of Wisk Aero along with two other subsidiaries: SkyGrid, specializing in airspace management software, and drone manufacturer Insitu. Following the agreement, Boeing now holds a 16.5% stake in Archer. This acquisition is particularly striking given Wisk’s prior legal confrontations with Archer over allegations of intellectual property theft in 2021, which took two years to resolve before both companies could arrive at a collaborative settlement.
Wisk’s transformation has been notable; it originated as Kitty Hawk, an electric aviation startup backed by Larry Page and led by Sebastian Thrun. After shutting down in September 2022, Kitty Hawk’s Cora program continued as Wisk Aero through a joint venture with Boeing.
In a separate movement within the sector, Joby Aviation announced its acquisition of Resonant Sciences for $500 million, marking a strategic entry into the defense industry. Resonant Sciences, known for developing radio frequency and sensor systems, will become Joby Defense, reflecting Joby’s dual focus on urban air taxis and defense opportunities.
Meanwhile, Uber took a surprising step by divesting its entire stake in Serve Robotics, an autonomous delivery robot company formed from Uber’s initiatives over five years ago. According to sources, Serve Robotics was reportedly caught off guard by this decision, discovering it only through Uber’s regulatory filing. Despite the sale, the partnership between Uber and Serve is set to continue until their contract expires in 2027.
Other Highlights from the Transportation Sector
Uber is also investing $93 million in Galgo, a Chilean fintech company focused on credit solutions for motorcycle purchases. In another funding milestone, electric mobility startup Yulu completed a Series C funding round with $93 million, led by GEF Capital Partners.
Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI have begun public road testing of their self-driving trucks in California after obtaining the necessary regulatory permits. Meanwhile, Avride reported achieving over 100,000 autonomous rides on the Uber app in Dallas, although a human safety operator remains present during rides.
In cybersecurity news, Delta Air Lines is investigating an incident where a passenger allegedly created a fake Wi-Fi network during a flight. Concurrently, Flock has launched initiatives to enhance accountability for its automated license plate recognition systems.
Additionally, Ford is advancing its $2 billion upgrade of the Louisville Assembly Plant, aiming to produce its next-generation electric vehicles, starting with the Fathom truck. Other notable developments include new outreach by the Department of Transportation aimed at recruiting gamers as air traffic controllers, with 2,000 candidates reportedly hired through this initiative.
Finally, Waymo is expanding its commercial robotaxi services in California following approval from the state’s Public Utilities Commission, allowing its fleet to charge for rides across the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe on stage at the annual tech conference in San Francisco from October 13 to October 15, inviting attendee questions ahead of the event.
