Most Read: Air Taxi Company Files for Bankruptcy, Seeks New Funding; Las Vegas Security Increased for CES 2025

Here are the most-read stories on IoT World Today this week.

Air Taxi Company Files for Bankruptcy, Seeks New Funding

German eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle developer Volocopter has filed an application for the opening of insolvency proceedings as the company continues to seek new funding.

Volocopter said business operations will continue during the provisional insolvency proceedings as an administrator restructures the company and seeks new financing.   

“Despite recent intensive fundraising efforts, finding a viable solution to maintain regular operations outside of insolvency proceedings has not been possible,” read a statement issued by Volocopter.

The announcement comes days after another German eVTOL jet maker signed an asset purchase agreement, allowing that flying taxi company to restart business operations.

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Las Vegas Security Increased for CES 2025

The Las Vegas Tesla Cybertruck explosion came just days before the start of CES, one of the largest technology trade shows in the world, which fills the major Las Vegas hotels. 

The annual event is expected to attract more than 130,000 attendees from around the world, preceded by two Media Days for media and analysts starting this weekend.

High security has always been visible at the multi-day event with heightened security planned, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the show organizer.

Related:Summit Attendees on the Future of AI in Business at AI Summit New York

“CES is the world's most powerful tech event, bringing together attendees from over 150 countries to showcase innovation and address global challenges,” said John T. Kelley, vice president and show director, CES at the CTA.

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Flying Taxi Startup Rescued by New Investors

German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet maker Lilium has signed an asset purchase agreement with the Mobile Uplift Corporation, allowing the flying taxi company to restart business operations.

The deal with Mobile Uplift, a company set up by a consortium of investors from Europe and North America, would give the new investors the operating assets of the subsidiaries Lilium GmbH and Lilium eAircraft GmbH. 

Lilium had appointed KPMG to start an M&A process as the flying vehicle startup faced insolvency.

“We are very pleased to announce the signing of an investment agreement with a very experienced consortium of investors, which is a major breakthrough,” said Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe. “Deal closing at the beginning of January will allow us to restart our business.” 

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Humanoid Robot to Build Cars for Chinese Automaker

Related:Las Vegas Security Increased for CES 2025

A Chinese automaker has unveiled a new wheeled, humanoid robot that it says will be deployed in car manufacturing starting in 2026.

The third generation of GoMate was unveiled by the state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group at an event in Shanghai.

GoMate, which has 38 degrees of freedom, is claimed to be the first robot of its type to use either two or four wheels to self-balance and drive. This allows it to adjust to different environments.

According to GAC, it delivers “precise motion control, accurate navigation and positioning and autonomous decision-making,” coupled with “strong stability and reliability.”

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Top 10 Flying Vehicle Stories of 2024

From large financing deals to announcements and innovations, 2024 was the year that put flying vehicles on the map. Readers were highly interested in the progress air taxi makers were making and the details of new flying vehicles coming to market.

Discover the top 10