Wisk’s 6th generation eVTOL aircraft is a candidate to earn the first-ever certification of an autonomous, all-electric, passenger-carrying aircraft in the U.S. (Photo: Wisk Aero)

Wisk Aero secured US$450 million in funding from The Boeing Company, which already held a significant interest in the Mountain View, California, company targeting what it describes as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Tracing its roots back to 2010, Wisk stakes a claim as first U.S. developer of an all-electric, autonomous air taxi.

The newest Boeing investment, announced on Jan. 24, will advance the development of Wisk’s 6th generation eVTOL aircraft, which the company also describes as a candidate to earn the first ever certification of an autonomous, all-electric, passenger-carrying aircraft in the U.S. Boeing new round of funding will also support what Wisk describes as an intensive growth phase planned for this year, as it prepares to launch manufacturing and go-to-market efforts.

“With this investment, we are reconfirming our belief in Wisk’s business and the importance of their work in pioneering all-electric, AI-driven, autonomous capability for the aerospace industry,” said Marc Allen, Chief Strategy Officer of Boeing. “Autonomy is the key to unlocking scale across all AAM applications, from passenger to cargo and beyond. That’s why straight-to-autonomy is a core first principle. Boeing and Wisk have been at the forefront of AAM innovation for more than a decade, and will continue to lead in the years ahead.”

Wisk began in 2010 as Zee Aero and later merged with Kitty Hawk Corporation. With the arrival of its 5th generation aircraft, Zee Aero received its initial significant investment from Boeing was spun off as Wisk, with Kitty Hawk today remaining as a key investor.

Wisk explains, that within five years of aircraft certification, it intends to operate one of the world’s largest autonomous eVTOL fleets. In this same timeframe, Wisk projects close to 14 million annual – zero emission – flights will bring time savings to more than 40 million people across 20 cities.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Boeing as not only an investor but a strategic partner, which provides us with access to a breadth of resources, industry-leading expertise, a global reach, extensive certification experience, and more,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “As we enter this next stage of our growth, this additional funding provides us with capital while allowing us to remain focused on our core business and our number one priority, safety.”