Three years after a bitter trade secret legal battle, electric aviation pioneers Archer Aviation has acquired its former rival Wisk Aero. The deal sees Boeing sell off Wisk and two other subsidiaries to Archer in exchange for an ownership stake, marking the end of their once-embittered relationship.

The acquisition comes as both companies continue to expand: Archer is set to deploy its all-electric Midnight aircraft this year, while Wisk Aero, now fully owned by Boeing, has been developing autonomous air taxis. This marriage of minds and machines could revolutionize urban mobility, even if they're still keeping a close eye on each other.

The legal saga began in April 2021 when Wisk sued Archer for 'brazen theft' of confidential information. After two years of wrangling, the companies agreed to collaborate rather than continue their feud. Now, under one roof, these eVTOL giants could finally focus on the skies without looking over their shoulders.

Wisk Aero's history is intertwined with that of Kittyhawk, a startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page and Sebastian Thrun. Shutdown in 2022, its Cora program was spun off into Wisk, where Boeing invested heavily before selling it to Archer. Meanwhile, California-based start-up Archer has expanded its eVTOL programme beyond air taxis into defence contracts, raising significant funding along the way.

This move suggests both companies are now more interested in collaboration than competition. With Archer's public listing and the White House's eVTOL programme on their radar, it seems they're building a better future together—though they may still be wary of each other's every move.