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

Core Insights - Lilium, a German electric aircraft startup, has faced insolvency and multiple failed restructuring attempts, leading to a competitive bid process for its assets [1][2][3] - Archer Aviation won the bid for Lilium's patent assets, acquiring them for €18 million ($21 million), which includes critical eVTOL technologies [2][4] - Lilium raised over $1 billion from investors and went public in 2021 but struggled with cash flow and product delivery [3] Group 1: Company Overview - Lilium was founded in 2015 and aimed to develop a vertical take-off and landing aircraft capable of speeds up to 100 km/h [3] - The company attracted significant investment, including from Tencent, and secured a notable order for 100 electric jets from Saudi Arabia [3] Group 2: Acquisition and Patents - Archer Aviation's acquisition of Lilium's patents includes technologies such as high-voltage systems, flight controls, and ducted fans, enhancing Archer's intellectual property portfolio to over 1,000 global patents [4] - The future application of Lilium's electric ducted fans by Archer remains uncertain, although they may be suitable for light-sport or regional electric flight [5] Group 3: Archer Aviation's Strategy - Archer, which also went public in 2021, initially focused on an air taxi network but has expanded its strategy to include a defense program in collaboration with Anduril for developing hybrid VTOL aircraft [6]