Latest news with #Jetsons-like
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This $1M flying car can reach speeds of 155 mph
A Slovakian startup working to make the age-old dream of flying cars a reality says it has a new prototype that could ship as early as 2026. Klein Vision, which has spent the past three decades developing its 'AirCar,' has already completed over 170 flight hours and more than 500 takeoffs and landings. It also became one of the first vehicles of its kind to receive a certificate of airworthiness back in 2022. Now, the company says it's ready to shift out of the testing phase and into production. Whether it can actually get there, however, remains far from certain. Many companies have tried—and failed—to bring flying cars to life. Klein Vision claims its Jetsons-like vehicle can transform from a four-wheel car into a fixed-wing aircraft in under two minutes. Video demonstrations of its transition from flight mode to driving show the two wings retracting and folding in on themselves, somewhat resembling a hardtop convertible. Once in car mode, the company says it generates downforce using a spoiler and elevator pitch. The newest iteration of the vehicle can reportedly reach top speeds of 124 mph on the road and 155 mph in the air, with a maximum flight range of around 1,000 kilometers. (620 miles). 'The AirCar is a fusion of certified aviation engineering and advanced automotive design—a true dual-mode vehicle that meets rigorous standards in both air and ground performance,' AirCar co-founder Anton Zajac said in a statement. The company did not immediately respond to Popular Science's request for comment, but told The Next Web that it hopes to start shipping to customers as early as 2026, with an estimated price between $800,000 and $1 million. According to The Next Web, the newly announced model includes several noteworthy improvements. It features a 280-horsepower motor—double the power of the previous version. It can also fly longer, drive farther, and switch between modes slightly faster. The first iteration of the AirCar received a Certificate of Airworthiness from the Slovak Transport Authority after completing 70 hours of 'rigorous flight testing,' according to the company. This newest version will also need to receive certification before it can legally take to the skies. But even if the new and improved AirCar finds buyers, potential owners shouldn't expect their expensive new toy to soar over rush hour traffic. In car mode, the AirCar can, in theory, operate much like any other road vehicle. Those looking to fly it, however, will first need to drive to an airport and take off from a runway. For now, the AirCar's flight path is limited to travel between airports. The video below shows the original AirCar making its maiden flight back in 2021. Dreams of functional flying cars date back to the days of Henry Ford in the early 1900s. For now, they remain primarily in the realm of fiction, but that might be changing ever so slightly. Startups like Terrafugia and Moller Skycar have previously demonstrated the ability to transform between car and plane modes, but neither were able to successfully bring their vehicles to a commercial market. Terrafugia actually received a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, but it has since reportedly shuttered its US operations after being acquired by the Chinese firm Geely back in 2017. Moller Skycar famously listed its flagship vehicle on eBay that same year—with the caveat that the buyer would not be legally allowed to fly it. Where there's significantly more commercial activity currently ongoing is in the closely related area of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicles. These vehicles have wheels but are intended to be able to lift off into the air without the need for a runway. In practical terms, they are somewhere in between a flying car and a helicopter. The two leading companies in that space, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, have already struck deals with airlines in the US and the U.K to transport passengers between airports and helicopter pads. In theory, that would allow time-crunched travellers to bypass traffic on busy streets. Related: [These new flying taxis offer a glimpse at our future commutes] But those use cases are still a far cry from the vision many futurists have of personal flying cars swarming city skies. Many of the obstacles keeping that vision grounded go beyond the technology itself. Current certification processes mean owners of these vehicles would need to acquire a pilot's license to operate them. Federal and local regulators would also need to radically reimagine traffic logistics and safety rules to accommodate what would essentially be a new dimension of navigation. There's also the very real concern about what happens if one of these flying cars falls out of the sky. The far more likely scenario is that a handful of airworthy car-plane hybrids may reach the market—but remain confined to use as expensive toys for wealthy enthusiasts.
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business Insider
I toured United's new flying taxi. It's flashy and futuristic, but I'm not sold.
I was among the first to see United and Archer's new futuristic air taxi called Midnight. The Jetsons-like transport will shuttle people between Manhattan and nearby airports. Midnight is a helicopter-airplane hybrid, but it's quieter, electric, and priced at an Uber Black. A new taxi is coming to town — but I'm not yet sure if I want to hitch a ride. United Airlines and California-based startup Archer Aviation have invested billions of dollar s to turn New York City's skies into a commuter lane with a new electric aircraft called Midnight. The futuristic flying taxi is a helicopter-airplane hybrid, but without the polluting noise and emissions. The goal? To make the trudge around Manhattan and its nearby airports more bearable without breaking the bank. Business Insider was among the first to see Midnight adorned in its United livery and get a sense of what these Jetson-like trips will be like at a swanky event in Manhattan in April. I thought the event seemed overly flashy for something trying to sell a new mode of transportation to the average traveler. Jimmy Fallon randomly showed up to say he hoped to fly Midnight to the Hamptons one day. Maybe the grandeur was the point, but with an uptick in helicopter crashes, the steep price point, and the still pending certification, I'm not totally convinced. And I'm not sure it'll ever be affordable for the Average Joe. But with United's $1 billion backing, this futuristic air taxi may be nothing to balk at. Don't call Midnight a helicopter — it has wings and 12 propellers. Midnight is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), meaning it takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies like an airplane and has both wings and propellers. Six rechargeable batteries power Midnight's propellers, which sit on top of Midnight and tilt to support both vertical flight and forward propulsion. The wing generates lift and glide to enhance efficiency: "Without it, you'll always be consuming so much energy," Archer VP of design and innovation Julian Montousse told BI. Archer's unique design enhances safety compared to helicopters, the company says Midnight has to "be very, very safe—as safe as the big commercial airlines," Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said at the event, noting its redundant points of failure across its propellers and batteries. Chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel told BI that he was less concerned about possible associations someone may have with Midnight and a helicopter because of the strong backing from airlines like United. "United has bought up to $1.5 billion worth of the aircraft, and they're going to start integrating their flights," he told BI. "We're going to have a bunch of early adopters." Archer says it can get you from Manhattan to JFK in under 10 minutes. United sees Midnight as a speedier alternative to driving and a more environmentally friendly — and cheaper — option than helicopters. Archer unveiled in April that the eVTOL will fly between three city helipads and a mix of major airports — John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark — plus regional ones like Westchester County near White Plains, Teterboro in New Jersey, and Republic on Long Island. The 10-minute flight time between Manhattan and JFK is comparable to that of existing helicopter service from other local operators, such as Blade and HeliFlite. The cabin has one pilot, four passengers, and zero overhead bins. How Archer works with United is you'd fly from somewhere like Barcelona or Florida to Newark and then be transferred to Midnight as an air taxi into Manhattan. It'd be one ticket. Midnight's cabin can fit four passengers and a pilot, and passengers can find personalized details about their trip — their name, destination, and countdown to liftoff — illuminated on the side of their seat. But it's by no means spacious. Travel light if you're planning to book Midnight: The back of the aircraft can fit four carry-ons or two checked bags. The two rear seats can be removed to accommodate more luggage, though Montousse said the company is working to improve its payload. The business model makes sense, but it could be pricey for the average person. The goal of Midnight is to be economical while not polluting major cities with noise or carbon emissions: "I just think about the Hamptons and the way everybody would complain," Goldstein said about noise. Archer said a Midnight ride would be that of an Uber Black — but that's per seat, not split. A ride from JFK to Archer's planned West 30th Street Heliport is $172 at the time of writing (2:30 p.m. on a Wednesday). That'd be $688 for four people on Midnight. I'm not sure groups of family or friends — or even business travelers — will always be able to afford an Archer trip. Though Goel said the company plans to cut costs to eventually resemble the price tag of a cheaper UberX. Archer's flashy event made Midnight seem all the more geared toward the wealthy. In the back of a brick warehouse-turned-event space near the 30th Street Heliport, Midnight sat atop a glowing pad as onlookers snapped selfies. Jimmy Fallon made a surprise cameo: "We're going to the Hamptons!" he shouted as he approached Midnight. VIPs were whisked off in a fleet of Cybertrucks after the event. To me, the razzle-dazzle and apparent photo op with a celebrity make Midnight seem less geared toward the average person. Would I ride in Midnight? I still haven't decided. There's no denying that Midnight feels straight out of the future. The promise of cutting down my 90-minute airport slog to a 10-minute jaunt at 1,000 feet is certainly enticing. If Archer can deliver on its vision — quiet, safe, zero-emissions air taxis at a reasonable rate — the company could alter how people move through cities. But I'm not quite ready to hop in. Until the company clinches its necessary certifications, the trip price dips closer to a glorified taxi ride, and aircraft safety headwinds die down, I'll probably stick to ground level.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Air taxis? A spaceport? Utah is making moves — and spending millions — for a futuristic vision
Kyle Clark, BETA Technologies founder and CEO, holds a model aircraft after signing an agreement with 47G at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Jan. 28, 2025. (Courtesy of 47G) Flying in a vertical-lift aircraft is a 'fascinating feeling,' Kyle Clark, the founder of a leading air taxi manufacturing company based in Vermont, told a room full of dignitaries at the Utah Capitol on Tuesday. 'You take off like a helicopter, and there's a whooshing sound,' the BETA Technologies founder and CEO said. 'It's not a beating sound, because all four propellers are turning at different speeds. Then you swing into the air, you turn that rear propeller on, you accelerate for about 30 seconds, and then you shut it down. Everything goes silent.' As a pilot that's flown lots of different aircraft, Clark said shifting from vertical lift off to a glide feels a bit jarring. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'You're like, 'Uh oh. All that noise was keeping me in the air. Now what's keeping me in the air?' The wind's keeping you in the air,' he said. As the aircraft begins soaring, Clark said the only noise is a low 'hum' of a rear propeller located 22 feet at the back of the aircraft. He then described looking through a 'beautiful glass canopy in front of you.' 'Look at this view out here in Utah,' he said, gesturing out the window to Utah's Wasatch mountain range. 'It's going to be awesome flying out here.' Clark's description sparked a smattering of excited murmurs in the crowd at an event that drew the attendance of several Utah lawmakers and Gov. Spencer Cox. They were there for the signing of an agreement between Clark's company and the group 47G, formerly known as the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association, a network of over 120 aerospace, defense and cyber companies, and 20 academic institutions working to innovate in the three sectors. The deal signed this week lays the groundwork to bring electric aircraft and the charging station network they'd rely on to Utah, envisioned as a Jetsons-like air delivery system that will start with moving packages before — eventually — people. It's also part of a larger effort brewing in the Utah Legislature to explore — and invest at least $1 million more in — futuristic technologies, including work to explore siting a spaceport somewhere in the state. The event took place one day before the deadly collision Wednesday night between a regional passenger jet and a military helicopter in the crowded airspace around Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C., a tragedy that's sure to prompt a national conversation about air safety in coming weeks. 'Today, with this MOU signing, we are going where no other state has gone before. To the top of the list in air mobility,' said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. 'We are going to electrify airports, we are going to bring the community together, there will be workforce development opportunities and legislative opportunities … where companies like BETA Technologies can come and innovate and grow their technologies.' While the agreement with BETA Technologies will start with electrifying conventional take-off and landing aircraft by focusing on existing airports, Starks said 'this is only the beginning.' Air taxis, delivery drones: Utah sets out to build 'advanced air mobility system' by 2034 'Imagine being in Moab in 40 minutes,' he said. 'Imagine living in Huntsville or Logan, where I grew up, and being able to fly to Salt Lake in 16 minutes, while still living in beautiful Cache Valley or Ogden Valley. That's the reality, and it's here.' Starks said over the next 12 to 18 months, in partnership with the Utah Department of Transportation, 47G will prioritize electrifying existing municipal and regional airports, with airports in Ogden, Salt Lake City and Provo 'high on the list.' He said they'll first focus on 'conventional take-off and landing' aircraft at existing airports. 'But urban air mobility, the movement of people in cities, that will all come eventually,' he said. Leaders characterized it as a big leap toward creating a futuristic statewide transportation in anticipation of the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. 'Under this agreement, the parties will collaborate on a series of initiatives with the objective of making Utah the nation's premier ecosystem for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — a form of transport that relies on next-generation technologies to increase access and efficiency, while lowering cost,' a says summary of the agreement issued by 47G. The deal comes after Utah leaders last year launched an initiative called Project Alta, a partnership that joined 47G with the Utah governor's office, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Inland Port Authority and other industry partners with a mission to establish an 'advanced air mobility' system for Utah. Last year, the Utah Legislature appropriated $1.14 million toward the effort. More could be coming this year. The governor included $2 million in his budget recommendation for aircraft charging stations. If the Utah Legislature approves that recommendation, the Utah Department of Transportation would oversee a competitive bid process to select a company that can provide charging stations for certain airports across the state. Starks told Utah News Dispatch that 47G does intend to request more public dollars from the 2025 Utah Legislature to help support the initiative — though he said negotiations hadn't yet landed on a specific number. 'We are seeking more. Now, this is work that's important to the state's economy. So the state is subcontracting that work out to us,' Starks said. 'It's economic development. And who better than the industry to go out and build the industry and those long-term economic initiatives in partnership with the state?' Any additional money that 47G is seeking, Starks said, would be used to fund 'personnel to continue running surveys, the economic analysis, to fund travel, to fund project management, and ultimately to partnership with UDOT to determine where the charging infrastructure goes.' 'You know, we're bringing a whole emerging industry to the state, and that requires a lot of resources,' Starks said. According to Morgan Stanley researchers, the advanced air mobility market is projected to reach a value of $1.5 trillion by 2040. In Utah, the industry is forecasted to generate 11,000 new full-time jobs, $8 billion in new business activity and related stimulus, and $1.8 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues by 2045, according to 47G. Advanced, electrified aircraft like air taxis aren't the only futuristic ideas Utah leaders are moving to invest in. A separate piece of legislation has been making its way through the 2025 Utah Legislature with enthusiasm and little resistance. With SB62, Senate Budget Chair Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, wants the Utah Legislature to set aside $1 million to create a new body called the Spaceport Exploration Committee that would be tasked with setting 'key objectives' the state would need to pursue in order to establish a spaceport, study its feasibility and evaluate potential sites. IOC officially awards Utah the 2034 Olympics — but not without final-hour drama The Utah Senate on Tuesday voted 27-1 to approve the bill. It now awaits consideration in the House. A spaceport would basically act as an airport for spacecraft, potentially not just for the military, but also for 'space exploration' or 'space mining,' Stevenson said. He said it could also tie into a vision of 'lifting people from pad to pad during the Olympics' in 2034. So while the effort to site a spaceport in Utah is separate from 47G's work to create an advanced air mobility system, it's related. 'It'd be pretty cool to ride your air taxi to your spaceship,' Stevenson said jokingly in a recent Senate media availability. Though he acknowledged, 'this all ties together,' adding that if the full Utah Legislature approves SB62, the Spaceport Exploration Committee would work 'to answer a lot of questions, maybe even outside of the realm we're thinking in right now as we put this together.' 'This is broad, and I think when this will be a lot of fun is when we get this committee formed and we start getting input from all of the different players, including air taxis,' Stevenson said. Asked why it's worth devoting as much as $1 million in state dollars now toward this effort, Stevenson said it's for 'economic development.' 'This is the future. And Utah better be prepared,' Stevenson said. 'We can either watch this happen, or we can make it happen, and that's why it demands the funding it does.' Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, said with Utah expecting to host the Olympics in 2034, 'we need to be out in front of the world.' 'We need to be cutting edge, and we need to be ready,' McKell said. 'If we don't think air taxis are going to be part of the Olympics, I mean, of course it's going to be. It's going to be incredible. So we need to be ready, we need to be cutting edge, and we need to be ahead of other states.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
