DENSO and Honeywell co-develop e-motor for Lilium’s all-electric jet
IMPORTANT NOTE: While DENSO Aftermarket is proud to share technical knowledge and experience, please note that the technology mentioned in this article is original equipment (OE) technology and is not yet available in its aftermarket range.
DENSO Corporation (DENSO), a leading OE component manufacturer and system supplier, and Honeywell, an aerospace leader, are co-developing an electric motor (e-motor) for the Lilium Jet. This is the first product developed by Honeywell and DENSO since formalising their alliance, and it marks DENSO’s entry into the aerospace market. The two companies will work with Lilium, developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) jet, to integrate the e-motor into Lilium’s aircraft engines.
Electric aircraft are not only quiet and comfortable, but are also more sustainable as they do not emit CO2. As mobility becomes increasingly diversified, air mobility offers potential solutions to prominent transportation issues, such as traffic congestion in urban centres, CO2 emissions and transportation access in less populated areas.
Established in 2015, Lilium is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Lilium has designed, built and tested technology demonstrators and invited the world to watch as it pioneers the next phase of flight.
The e-motor for the Lilium Jet consists of a rotor and stator, weighing approximately 4 kg and having an output of 100 kW. The rotor and stator are uniquely designed to meet the small size and low weight necessary to achieve Lilium’s performance goals. This proprietary, high-performance system, on which the Lilium, Honeywell and DENSO teams have already been working for nearly two years, brings exceptional performance and reliability with zero the operating emissions typically associated with commercial jet engines.
DENSO and Honeywell began joint research in 2019 and signed an alliance agreement in early 2021 to design, develop, produce and sell electric propulsion system products for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.
Stéphane Fymat, Vice President and General Manager of Urban Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace said: “Honeywell has been at the forefront of innovation in aviation for a century, and we are proud to closely collaborate with DENSO and help usher in the age of electric flight. Lilium’s innovation, combined with our experience in aerospace, will help to bring about cleaner, more sustainable ways for people to travel for centuries to come.”
Jiro Ebihara, Senior Executive officer and head of the Electrification Systems Business Group at DENSO, said: “We’re honoured to help electrify air travel with Honeywell and Lilium. The e-motor co-development solidifies DENSO’s successful entry into the aerospace industry, giving us the opportunity to increase vehicle electrification not only on land, but also in the sky. This supports our efforts to create a more efficient and sustainable future.”
Yves Yemsi, Chief Operating Officer of Lilium said: “Lilium’s procurement strategy is to engage with the technology providers with the most suitable expertise. We are already making great progress with Honeywell on its Honeywell Anthem integrated flight deck and flight control computers, and we are delighted to deepen our relationship by also partnering with Honeywell and DENSO on our e-motor. The collaboration with these two powerhouses takes us further along the path to revolutionising regional air mobility.”
This work furthers both Honeywell’s and DENSO’s strategies. It advances DENSO’s two great causes: Green – achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 – and Peace of Mind – contributing to a safer and more seamless world for all. For Honeywell, it expands the company’s wide range of ready-now technologies that are helping customers improve sustainability and deliver operational efficiencies.