The company has signed a letter of intent with UK-based Halo Aviation Ltd to develop and launch its air traffic solution, with operations planned in the UK and US.
Halo had ordered 200 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles for Eve last year, with the aim of improving the development of the so-called urban air mobility sector.
The software won’t be solely focused on Eve’s devices, as its eVTOLs will share airspace with drones, helicopters, commercial jets and other flying taxis, co-chief executive Andre Stein said.
“It’s an agnostic solution,” he told Reuters in an interview from Britain, where Eve is attending the Farnborough Airshow.
Eve and Halo did not disclose the amount of the deal.
Mr. Stein said Eve is talking with other potential clients to expand its air traffic management footprint. He did not provide details, but pointed out that these negotiations concern both eVTOL operators and air traffic controllers.
Eve currently has an industry-leading backlog of 1,910 and views Embraer’s successful certification record as an advantage over its competitors.
“We’re one of the few companies that can say we’ve done it,” Stein said, noting that Embraer has achieved certification for 30 aircraft models over the past 25 years.
Mr Stein said Eve, which plans to launch its flying taxis by 2026, has no target for orders but hopes to be a leader in the market which he sees reaching 50,000 planes by 2035 and 100,000 by 2040.
Its peers include Joby Aviation Inc, Vertical Aerospace Ltd, Lilium NV and Archer Aviation Inc.
Eve debuted on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this year after combining its business with Zanite Acquisition Corp, raising $377 million to manufacture its flying taxis.
Sunday’s announcement came as the company also unveiled its first full-size Farnborough eVTOL cabin mockup.
In May, Mr Stein told reporters that the company was not rushing to launch its prototype, but that it was doing it “right”.