Wisk to take SkyGrid under wing as pair work more closely on autonomy
SkyGrid is set to become a subsidiary of Wisk as the Boeing companies align more closely on autonomous operations.
Through this alignment, Wisk and SkyGrid will work to address the critical challenges necessary for expanding safe autonomous flight — such as establishing Automated Flight Rules — as the pair look to bring Wisk’s aircraft to market.
As a third-party service provider for AAM, SkyGrid is developing an aircraft-agnostic platform that aims to offer scalable, interoperable solutions for AAM vehicles such as eVTOLs. Wisk is currently progressing through type certification with the FAA for its VTOL-capable Generation 6 autonomous air taxi.
Boeing retains full ownership of both entities, and this deal allows Wisk to take the operational lead in integrating technologies and accelerating progress toward day one autonomous operations.
According to a spokesperson for Wisk, the move reflects a long-standing strategic collaboration between Wisk and SkyGrid that has steadily matured over several years. “The deal will deepen that partnership, creating an end-to-end solution that combines Wisk’s autonomous eVTOL technology with SkyGrid’s digital infrastructure for autonomous aircraft integration, airspace management, traffic awareness and operational decision support.”
After a transition period, Boeing will transfer its ownership of SkyGrid to Wisk. With this transition, SkyGrid will be placed under Wisk’s strategic leadership as a subsidiary, aligning both organisations under “a unified autonomy and AAM strategy”.
Sébastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk, said: “To unlock the full potential of AAM, we must also have advanced airspace. By collaborating with SkyGrid, we’re vertically integrating our own aircraft autonomy technologies with their established airspace automation capabilities, accelerating the path to safer, more efficient air travel in the national airspace system.”
SkyGrid, which was launched in 2018 as a joint venture between Boeing and SparkCognition, will tailor digital solutions for Wisk to enhance real-time situational awareness, aid airspace integration and advance decision-making.
Jia Xu, CEO of SkyGrid, said: “By deploying our comprehensive airspace integration capabilities with Wisk’s autonomous eVTOL technology, we are paving a path to safe, efficient and increasingly autonomous operations for all. Together, we are doing the hard, practical and necessary work to unlock aviation autonomy and digital airspace.”
In late 2024, SkyGrid published its concept of operations. Wisk’s spokesperson confirmed the acquisition will have no impact on these plans. “Becoming a subsidiary of Wisk strengthens SkyGrid’s ability to deliver on that vision while still serving external stakeholders. Our mission to enable safe, scalable and autonomous operations in civil airspace remains a top priority.”
Described as a natural evolution, the deal sees Wisk and SkyGrid both bring “capabilities to the table”. Each showcases vertical integration, providing an end-to-end solution that spans airspace management, autonomous vehicle operations and real-time traffic data.
“Together, Wisk and SkyGrid form a comprehensive, integrated ecosystem — combining intelligent aircraft with dynamic airspace orchestration,” Wisk’s spokesperson told us. “This holistic approach to autonomy extends beyond the vehicle itself, creating a basis for initial service entry and going some way to unlocking the potential for scaled operations under automated flight rules.”
Wisk did not comment on how long the deal was in the pipeline.
Subscribe to our free newsletter
For more deep dives from SAF Investor, subscribe to our email newsletter.
