![Archer hits new eVTOL milestone, completing a transition flight that topped 100 mph [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Archer-eVTOL-transition.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Archer hits new eVTOL milestone, completing a transition flight that topped 100 mph [Video]
Archer Aviation continues to make developmental headway in its quest to commercial eVTOL operations. Archer recently completed a successful transition flight—one of the trickiest maneuvers to overcome in eVTOL design. The advanced air mobility developer filmed the entire journey, reaching flight speeds of over 100 mph.
Archer Aviation ($ACHR) is a California-based eVTOL developer that has quickly become a recognizable name in the nascent segment of advanced air mobility (AAM).
In recent months, much of our coverage has pertained to Archer’s business side of eVTOL travel. The company has established several new partnerships in the US and around the world to commercialize its technology for air taxi rides and cargo transport.
For example, Archer plans to launch eVTOL air taxi services in the United Arab Emirates and India. Just last month, Archer also announced a new partnership with KaKaoMobility in South Korea to begin commercial eVTOL air taxi operations in the country by 2026.
With FAA certification now in place to begin commercial eVTOL operations in the US, Archer remains focused on fine-tuning its flagship Midnight aircraft to ensure safe operation before it starts putting passengers onboard.
As an eVTOL, Archer’s Midnight aircraft takes off vertically like a helicopter, then transitions its rotors mid-air to propel itself forward like an airplane before transitioning back upright to lower itself down for safe landing. As the Archer team points out in the video below, the transition phase is one of the most complicated and tricky maneuvers to handle, so achieving such a milestone is a big deal.
Watch the Archer eVTOL complete a transition flight
Per Archer, its Midnight eVTOL completed a successful transition flight on June 8, 2024, reaching flight speeds of over 100 mph. This milestone marks the company’s second transition using a full-scale eVTOL aircraft.
Archer’s initial transition flight took place in November 2022, using its first-generation full-scale eVTOL aircraft, “Maker.”
At approximately 6,500 pounds, the next-generation, production-intent Midnight aircraft has the makings to be one of the largest and heaviest eVTOLs in the segment, adding clout to its transition flight milestone. Archer’s chief engineer, Dr. Geoff Bower, spoke explicitly about the Midnight eVTOL and what the company’s successful test flight means for its future in AAM:
Successfully completing the transition from hover to wing-borne flight with a full-scale eVTOL aircraft is a tremendous engineering feat that only a handful of companies in the world have achieved. Over the seven eVTOL aircraft I’ve built and flown in my career, they have gotten progressively larger as we pursued payloads that made the aircraft platform commercially viable. Midnight is believed to be one of the largest eVTOL aircraft ever to achieve transition and one of the first that is purpose built to carry enough passengers to be able to operate a successful air taxi business. I’m extremely proud of Archer’s team as we have now achieved this milestone with two generations of full-scale aircraft.
Following its transition flight, Archer says it will continue the Midnight’s flight test program, which includes plans to fly simulated commercial routes, execute high-rate flight operations, and test additional flight maneuvers used in commercial operations. All while continuing to work to improve the eVTOL’s speed and flight endurance.
Following the previously mentioned FAA certification, the company also said the Midnight eVTOL remains on track for its final “implementation” phase of its Type Certification program. That will include piloted flight testing later this year. You can watch Archer’s full eVTOL transition test in the video below:
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Environment
Sunreef Yachts introduces Solar Skin 3.0 cell with AI optimization for marine electrification
Cutting-edge yacht and electric catamaran designer Sunreef Yachts has unveiled its latest generation of solar skin technology. The silicon solar cells, designed in-house by Sunreef, are now more efficient, durable, and bolstered by AI optimization. As such, Sunreef is calling its Solar Skin 3.0 technology a “visionary leap toward the future of yachting.”
Sunreef Yachts has been operating out of Gdansk, Poland, for over 20 years alongside a newer footprint established in the United Arab Emirates. From day one, the boatbuilder has been pushing the boundaries of sustainable marine travel, launching the world’s first 74-foot luxury oceangoing catamaran with a flybridge.
Today, Sunreef remains one of the more exciting marine electrification specialists we cover here at Electrek, as we’ve watched its portfolio of eco-friendly sailboats and massive solar electric catamarans ranging from 60 to 100 meters in length grow.
In addition to new and ultra-luxe yachts that can go farther than ever on batteries and the sun’s power alone, Sunreef continues to push the boundaries of our planet’s waters with fully sustainable boat materials and its proprietary solar system technology.
We’ve already seen two previous generations of Sunreef’s silicon cells. Until today’s news, its Solar Skin 2.0 was already celebrated for its top efficiency and thermal stability on the water. Those cells can operate at temperatures above 100℃ (212℉) and withstand over 20,000 load cycles without cracking.
Today, Sunreef Yachts announced that it has taken its solar cell innovation even further, unveiling its Solar Skin 3.0 technology. This technology has been further optimized to improve efficiency, resulting in more range at sea.
Sunreef offers top efficiency with its new solar system
Per Sunreef, Solar Skin 3.0 picks up where its previous cell generation left off, delivering similar cycle durability and thermal resistance but with a more refined and efficient design that can further reduce marine vessels’ carbon emissions.
Sunreef states that its third-generation system has achieved the maximum efficiency for silicon cells. It now features smart panels designed using AI and real-time data to dynamically adjust output and avoid shade from the mast and sails. Company CTO Nicolas Lapp broke it all down nicely:
The latest generation of our solar skin technology offers top efficiency—currently the highest attainable for silicon cells—marking a major milestone in marine solar innovation. Leveraging machine learning algorithms and real-time data from Sunreef catamarans operating in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Dubai, we are able to continuously refine panel placement and optimize energy yield. Fully developed and produced in-house, each panel functions as a smart unit, dynamically adjusting its electrical output to mitigate shading effects from sails and superstructure, significantly boosting system efficiency even during winter months.
In addition to the solar system 3.0 technology, Sunreef said it had added next-generation photovoltaic cells to the bimini areas of its catamarans, designed specifically to optimize energy retrieval from shaded environments. This can help deliver enhanced solar energy generation in “less-than-ideal lighting conditions.”
Future Sunreef owners can use the 3.0 system’s intelligent yield optimization, which utilizes advanced algorithms to adjust electrical outputs in real time, particularly when navigating areas affected by excessive shade.
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Tesla has launched its latest over-the-air software update called ‘Spring Update’. While the automaker regularly releases smaller updates, it sometimes bundles many features into the same update for a bigger release, like this one.
It’s important to note that while it’s a significant update as a whole, many of these features are specific to certain vehicles and regions. Therefore, most Tesla owners won’t get most of those features.
Adaptive Headlights Now Available in US and Canada
This is something that has been available in Europe for a while, but now Tesla is introducing it in its latest vehicles in North America:
High beams adapt to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists. By detecting other road users, and selectively dimming individual pixels of the headlight, your high beams stay on more often for greater visibility at night.
If your Tesla is equipped with the necessary hardware (matrix headlights), you’ll now see the toggle under Controls > Lights > Adaptive Headlights.
Blind Spot Camera Moves to Driver Screen (Model S/X)
The headline is pretty self-explanatory, and it looks like this on your driver display:
Controls > Display > Automatic Blind Spot Camera & select Driver Screen
This is only for the refreshed Model S/X (2021-2025).
Dashcam/Sentry Mode Upgrade: More Cameras, Better Viewer
For newer Model S, 3, X, and Y vehicles, Tesla is now including side camera (B-pillar) footage in Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings, increasing the total recorded camera angles from four to six. Alongside that, the Dashcam Viewer app has been redesigned with a grid layout and quick-swipe video review tools.
This has been a highly requested feature by Tesla owners, especially more recently amid increased occurrences of vandalism against Tesla vehicles.
Smarter Road Trips: Alternative Trip Plans
Tesla’s Trip Planner has become more useful with now clearer choices for multiple routing styles:
- Fastest: minimize travel time
- Best Amenities: prioritize charging stops near top-rated restaurants, shops, and restrooms
- Fewer Stops: reduce the number of charging stops
Nearby attractions are also listed when viewing a Supercharger location.
Cybertruck-Specific Updates
The Cybertruck gains a pair of Autopilot-related upgrades:
- Comfort Drive Mode: now auto-engages when Autopilot is active
- Lane Departure Avoidance Assist: no longer just a warning—now it can also gently steer to keep you in your lane
When Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck in late 2023, the software was far from completed, especially when it comes to Tesla’s advanced driver assist features.
The automaker has been gradually releasing updates to bring those features to the electric pickup truck.
Other Notable Features
- Avoid Highways toggle added to Controls > Navigation
- Keep Accessory Power On: lets you continue using USB ports and phone chargers after exiting the car, as long as battery level is above 20%
- Keyboard Language Switching now supported on-screen
- Enhanced media experience, including:
- Filtered search by source
- Shuffle for Apple Music playlists with more than 100 songs
- Improved SiriusXM navigation
- Amazon Music Free sign-in support
- “Up Next” view in YouTube Music
- Auto hotspot connection when driving
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