Wisk ‘advancing certification effort’ with Verocel acquisition

Wisk Aero has acquired Verocel, a software verification and validation (V&V) company with experience supporting high-integrity aerospace software certification.

The deal will form a key piece of Wisk’s programme to certify its autonomous air taxi. The Verocel team has “deep expertise” in DO-178C – the primary document the FAA uses to approve all commercial software-based aerospace systems. The team are also members of industry standards committees for high-integrity software including RTCA/Special Committee and EUROCAE Working Group.

Verocel’s toolset – VeroTrace – acts as baseline for software certification requirements definition, tracking, and FAA submittals, all of which are critical to certifying Wisk’s sixth generation aircraft. 

“High-integrity software development is critical for our mission to certify an autonomous, electric aircraft with V & V being a significant portion of the total software certification effort,” said Brian Yutko, Wisk CEO. “Verocel’s specialised and talented team will bring with them deep experience and rigour, helping to accelerate our autonomous certification project that is already well underway. We are thrilled to have this talented team join Wisk.”

The value of the transaction, which closed last week, has not been disclosed. Wisk confirmed to Revolution.Aero that the Verocel team consisting of over 50 software engineers, which is split between Massachusetts and Poznan, Poland, will remain at its current locations. The team has not yet begun work on Wisk’s programme, but it already works with Wisk’s parent Boeing among other aerospace firms.

Verocel was founded in 1999 and has worked on over 160 projects for more than 25 customers. In addition to software development and V&V services, Verocel also develops and produces the safety computers for the wide area augmentation system (WAAS), an air navigation system that enhances GPS accuracy and integrity.

“Wisk is a perfect alignment for Verocel, both in the long and short term” said Jim Chelini, president of Verocel. “Not only is this a chance to directly apply our expertise to the certification of a groundbreaking technology, but this is also an incredible opportunity for Verocel talent to excel within Wisk and the broader Boeing ecosystem long term.”