Lilium's Technology Revived by Archer | Electric Aircraft News

Lilium's Technology Finds a New Home with Archer Aviation

Despite ceasing operations last year, the German electric aircraft startup Lilium’s story didn’t end with its insolvency filing. Several restructuring attempts proved unsuccessful.

A final effort, spearheaded by Mobile Uplift Corporation – an investment group from Europe and North America – aimed to acquire the operating assets of Lilium’s subsidiaries. However, these efforts ultimately failed.

Asset Acquisition and Competitive Bidding

A bankruptcy administrator subsequently initiated a competitive bid process for the company’s assets. Archer Aviation emerged as the victor, securing the patents for €18 million ($21 million).

The winning bid surpassed those submitted by Ambitious Air Mobility Group and Joby Aviation, with Joby confirming its participation in the auction.

Lilium's History and Financial Challenges

Founded in 2015, Lilium was focused on developing a vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of reaching speeds up to 100 km/h.

The company successfully raised over $1 billion in investment before becoming publicly listed on the Nasdaq in 2021 through a merger with Qell, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Despite attracting significant investors, such as Tencent, and securing substantial orders – including one for 100 electric jets from Saudi Arabia – Lilium exhausted its capital reserves before achieving product delivery.

The Value of the Patent Portfolio

The acquired patents encompass crucial eVTOL technologies. These include high-voltage systems, flight controls, ducted fans, and innovative aircraft design principles.

According to an Archer spokesperson, these patents are a valuable addition to Archer’s intellectual property, bringing its total global patent assets to over 1,000.

Potential Applications for Archer Aviation

While Archer’s specific plans for the patents remain somewhat unclear, potential applications are emerging. Lilium’s electric ducted fans could prove beneficial for light-sport or regional electric flight.

This expands beyond Archer’s initial focus on air taxi networks.

Archer's Diversification into Defense

Archer, which also went public via a SPAC merger in 2021, initially concentrated on developing an air taxi service.

In December, the company broadened its scope by launching a defense program. This included an exclusive agreement with Anduril to co-develop a hybrid gas-and-electric-powered VTOL aircraft for critical defense applications.