AnteoTech secures exclusive battery design role with Airspeeder’s Team Australia
AnteoTech (ASX: ADO) has signed a Supply Agreement to exclusively supply next generation lithium-ion battery (LiB) designs and batteries for prototyping to Adelaide-based Airspeeder Pty Ltd, the world’s first racing series for manned electric flying cars. Under the agreement, AnteoTech will serve as the foundational Next Generation Battery Development Consortium lead for Team Australia.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What this agreement means for AnteoTech
AnteoTech’s role extends well beyond that of a conventional supplier. As consortium lead, the company will bring high energy battery chemistry and cell design expertise to support the advancement of Airspeeder’s eVTOL technology programme.
Key commercial and strategic elements of the agreement include:
- AnteoTech will design and supply next generation cell chemistries in prototype format for integration into future Airspeeder models, positioning its Ultranode™ 95 technology within a real-world, high-performance proving ground
- The company is currently in active Joint Development Agreement (JDA) negotiations with several specialised cathode technology companies that bring cell manufacturing, piloting, and prototyping capabilities — these negotiations are ongoing and have not yet concluded
- Airspeeder’s suppliers and partners include Dell, NVIDIA, and Intel, with Airspeeder also backed by sponsors and investors including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Deloitte, placing AnteoTech within a well-resourced international ecosystem
Merrill Gray, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, AnteoTech
“This is an exciting ‘ground floor’ opportunity for AnteoTech to raise market awareness of Ultranode™ 95’s potential. It will allow us to work with our technology collaborators and bring significant global know-how and expertise, as we lead an overall next generation battery design consortium. We are excited to be collaborating with Airspeeder to help shape the future of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing, or eVTOL, technology and look forward to sharing further news…”
Understanding eVTOLs and why battery technology is the critical lever
What is an eVTOL?
An electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is an electrically powered vehicle capable of taking off, hovering, and landing vertically without a conventional runway. Airspeeder, founded in Australia in 2016, has developed what it describes as the “Formula 1 of the skies” — a competitive racing series built around manned eVTOLs.
The company achieved its first remotely piloted drag race between two aircraft in 2021 and secured experimental flight certification from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for its racing eVTOL in 2025. Airspeeder is now preparing for its international series race planned for November 2026.
Why batteries determine flight performance
eVTOLs critically rely on battery power for take-off, flight, and landing. Flight time is directly related to the specific energy (Wh/kg) and power performance (W/kg) a battery can supply, and the battery generally contributes up to 50% of the total cost of an eVTOL.
Airspeeder’s current models use off-the-shelf batteries and conventional chemistries. Next generation cell chemistry is therefore identified as a major performance lever for future models.
Ultranode 95 validation results from independent testing at the Battery Innovation Centre in Indiana confirmed greater than 390 Wh/kg specific energy density and more than 300 cycles at 70% capacity retention, performance metrics directly relevant to the energy and cycle demands of eVTOL applications.
According to ResearchANDMarkets (January 2026), the eVTOL market is a substantial and rapidly growing sector:
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| eVTOL market size (2026 est.) | ~US$19 billion |
| eVTOL market forecast (2030) | ~US$42 billion |
| Battery share of eVTOL cost | Up to 50% |
Matt Pearson, CEO and Co-Founder, Airspeeder
“This exciting competition sees eVTOLs race just metres above the ground, where overtaking becomes choreography and every lap is a live flight test, pushing propulsion, control, and safety systems to their limits…”
North American Battery Show and broader commercialisation momentum
AnteoTech’s next near-term milestone is the Battery Show North America in Detroit, running from 13 to 15 October 2026, where the company will participate as part of the Austrade trade delegation.
Planned activities at the show include:
- A presentation at the Battery Show’s Open Tech Forum on Anteo S™ and advancements in separator technology, to be delivered by Manuel Wieser, EGM – Advanced Battery Technology Business
- Co-exhibiting Anteo S™ at a dedicated Xerabrid booth
- Engaging new potential customers for SiMRAX alongside US-based partner Black Diamond Structures, with 6 potential customers currently trialling SiMRAX and sales forecasts being sought
The Xerabrid separator collaboration, formalised under a binding Strategic Collaboration and Sales Agreement in August 2026, runs alongside the Airspeeder programme as part of AnteoTech’s broader push to move from ingredient supplier to combined product provider across multiple battery technology markets.
Looking ahead, AnteoTech expects the Airspeeder agreement to generate prototyping data, cell design blueprints, and performance learnings that could demonstrate the value proposition of Ultranode™ 95 and support the attraction of new end customer relationships in the eVTOL and UAV space. The company also notes that multiple parties are currently testing Ultranode™ 95 within their own test programmes, providing a broader signal of commercial interest in the technology.
Get ASX Tech and Battery Innovation News Before the Market Moves
Big News Blast delivers FREE breaking ASX announcements directly to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis already done for you. Over 20,000 active subscribers rely on it to stay ahead across Tech, Healthcare, and beyond. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to make sure the next market-moving story lands with you first.