Honeywell Develops Innovative, Lightweight Sensor Technology For The Lilium Jet

Custom-engineered sensors will help Lilium’s electric vertical takeoff and landing jet fly, propelling the future of sustainable flight forward 

Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) announced today it was selected by Lilium (Nasdaq: LILM), the developer of the first all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet, to supply propulsion unit position sensors for the Lilium Jet. Honeywell designed these sensors, known as “resolvers,” specifically for the needs of the Lilium Jet. The sensors will play a critical role in accurately sensing the engine’s position, ensuring that the jet can safely reach the exact position required for a successful takeoff.

Creating sensing solutions for regional air mobility supports Honeywell’s portfolio alignment to three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation and energy transition.Honeywell is an investor in Lilium and supplies many key components for the Lilium Jet, including e-motors for the engines, avionics, onboard thermal management systems, and the flight control computer.

“Honeywell’s expertise in both the aerospace and sensing industries means that they are able to understand the unique needs of and create tailored solutions for the Lilium Jet,” said Yves Yemsi, chief operating officer at Lilium. “In rethinking the traditional resolver, Honeywell is playing a key role in turning our concept, a fully-electric jet that takes off and lands vertically, into a reality.”

Lilium is creating the world’s first eVTOL jet and aims to develop zero operating emissions, accessible modes of high-speed, regional transportation. The Lilium Jet is powered by 30 electric ducted fan engines, each of which need to move precisely from a vertical to horizontal position to support takeoff and forward movement in the air. This action is controlled by a resolver, traditionally a heavier piece of equipment composed of coils of copper wire and magnetic steel.

Honeywell, working closely with Lilium, created a customized, solid-state resolver using patented spiral magnet technology and magneto resistive sensors that can determine the position of magnetic objects. The resolver is substantially less expensive and lighter-weight than traditional counterparts. Although specific to the Lilium Jet, this Honeywell-patented technology can be replicated across other types of electric aircraft and will play an important role in furthering the adoption of advanced air mobility.

“This expansion of the existing partnership between Honeywell and Lilium demonstrates the companies’ ongoing commitment to create solutions for the future of more sustainable transportation,” says Sarah Martin, president of Honeywell Sensing Solutions. “A growing number of eVTOLs will be flying above us in the very near future, representing a groundbreaking step in the electrification of air transport. Our sensors, though small, are playing a large part in making these aircraft a reality.”

For more information on Honeywell’s aerospace sensing solutions, visit: https://automation.honeywell.com/us/en/solutions/advanced-sensing-technologies.

About Honeywell

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Connected Enterprise integrated software platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world’s toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter, safer and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About Lilium

Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, designed to offer leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions, Lilium is accelerating the decarbonization of air travel. Working with aerospace, technology, and infrastructure leaders, and with announced sales and indications of interest in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lilium’s 950+ strong team includes approximately 500 aerospace engineers and a leadership team responsible for delivering some of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. Founded in 2015, Lilium’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Munich, Germany, with teams based across Europe and the U.S. To learn more, visit www.lilium.com