Wisk Aero and Siemens lead the way with advanced eVTOL systems
At the Farnborough International Air Show, Wisk Aero and Siemens were both showcasing their innovation. A pioneer in the emerging autonomous air taxi market, Wisk highlighted the sixth-generation prototype of the EV12 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. A key player in urban air mobility (UAM), Wisk is developing this autonomous aircraft to revolutionize transportation in congested urban areas with sustainable and efficient alternatives to ground-based travel.
The eVTOL market is rapidly expanding, with projections suggesting it could reach a value of over $1 trillion by 2040. This growth is driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for environmentally friendly transportation solutions in cities. Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, particularly, CapitalTM software for electrical/electronic (E/E) systems development environment, is playing an important role.
Wisk Aero and Siemens Overcoming Design Challenges
The concept of eVTOLs emerged from the need to address urban congestion and environmental concerns by creating a new mode of transportation that could operate efficiently in crowded city environments. However, the path to developing these aircraft has been fraught with challenges, including:
- The need for lightweight, high-capacity batteries that can provide sufficient range and power
- The integration of complex electrical systems
- The development of reliable autonomous control systems
Additionally, regulatory hurdles, public acceptance and the establishment of the necessary infrastructure for urban air mobility pose significant challenges that the industry continues to address, as it moves closer to making eVTOLs a reality.
While Siemens can’t solve all of these challenges, its Capital platform is specifically designed to manage the complex electrical systems of modern aircraft, providing a comprehensive digital thread that spans the entire product lifecycle – from design to manufacturing and maintenance.
Capital enables rapid development and integration of intricate electrical systems, significantly reducing the time required to bring these advanced aircraft to market. By facilitating electrical and mechanical co-design, Capital allows for the rapid development of the electrical system for eVTOL, helping customers to meet critical development milestones.
Leading the Way to Sustainable Flight
The work done with Wisk underscores the role Siemens plays in advancing cutting-edge aerospace technology and points to a broader industry push towards innovative, sustainable urban mobility solutions. The presence of Siemens and Wisk at Farnborough – where Siemens’ pavilion was buzzing with interest – further emphasizes the significance of these technological advancements in shaping the future of urban transportation.
In addition to its collaboration with Wisk, Siemens showcased projects with industry leaders Airbus and Bell. Check out our blog post explaining how Siemens is enabling Airbus to ramp up production of its A320 family of aircraft, and accelerate the entry-into-service of the A321XLR, which is designed for extra-long-range flights.
LEARN MORE
>> ON DEMAND WEBINAR:
The race is on: Optimizing E/E systems development to capture eVTOL market share
>> BLOG SERIES:
How E/E systems development solutions help fulfill the promise of eVTOL (Part 1-3)
4 Key Capabilities of a Successful E/E System Development Solution for eVTOL (Part 2-3)
All-electric eVTOL design challenges aircraft manufacturers with complexity and risk (Part 3-3)
>> EBOOK:
E/E systems development – the key to eVTOL success
