“Why Are eVTOL Air Taxis Starting To Look The Same?”
Presenter:
Garrett Reim, Space & Emerging Technologies Editor, Aviation Week & Space Technology
Of the 750 eVTOL aircraft designs made public, roughly 44% are tiltrotors, according to the Vertical Flight Society’s eVTOL Aircraft Directory. Wingless multicopters represent 34% of designs; lift-and-cruise designs, which have a wing and thrusters separately dedicated to cruise and lift, represent 22% of designs.
The industry’s convergence around tiltrotors appears to be another example of dominant design theory in action. Dominant design is the tendency of a standard technology configuration to emerge after an initial flurry of experimentation, investment and competition.
eVTOL is an industry moving forward, but still facing headwinds as companies strive to carve out their niche. Join Garrett for an insightful look at the current state of the technology and business of eVTOL.
Presenter
Based in the Seattle area, Garrett Rein covers the space sector and advanced technologies that are shaping the future of aerospace and defense, including space startups, advanced air mobility and artificial intelligence. Prior to joining Aviation Week, he wrote about military aircraft manufacturers and operators in the Americas at FlightGlobal.
Garrett’s work before aerospace reporting includes experience writing about technology companies and several years working within an American CNC mill and lathe manufacturer. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Pepperdine University and grew up in the Pacific Northwest.
