REEF Know-how has unused flat rooftops. Archer Aviation has electrical mini-helicopters. Collectively, they may have one thing.
The 2 corporations are partnering to run Archer’s proposed air taxis from REEF’s parking garages in Miami and Los Angeles.
The companions intention to launch air taxi service from REEF storage rooftops by 2024, in response to the Business Observer. Archer continues to be negotiating with the Federal Aviation Administration to get its plane into service.
The deal will give Archer entry to “largely dormant rooftop websites throughout a few of the most densely populated and closely congested city metropolis places within the US,” beginning with Miami and L.A., a press launch mentioned.
REEF is coming off an enormous yr and has been in enlargement mode. The corporate’s SoftBank-led $700 million fundraising spherical final yr was the most important of any firm in 2020 by far. Late final yr, REEF partnered with Oaktree on a $300 million funding car.
The corporate, based in 2013, gives {hardware} and software program providers to car parking zone house owners. It additionally leases and operates its personal garages.
Final yr, the corporate began partnering with startups for different operations, together with retail and cloud kitchens, on last-mile supply service. The corporate just lately introduced that Wendy’s plans to open 700 delivery-only kitchens at its properties.
Archer, in the meantime, just lately unveiled its first plane, Maker. The corporate claims the small electrical vertical-takeoff-and-landing craft, or eVTOL, is “essentially the most aerodynamic and environment friendly electrical plane to ever take to the skies.”
Archer’s flying machines aren’t the one ones set to take off and land at REEF properties. Earlier this summer time REEF partnered with air taxi service Joby Aviation at its Miami garages.
[CO] — Dennis Lynch