Israeli startup makes inroads with personal flying vehicle
An electric vehicle designed to fly commuters on short trips above crowded streets has successfully completed its first unmanned flight, bringing it closer to being available on the market in the next two years.
Developed by Israeli start-up AIR, the vehicle is capable of carrying two people up to 100 miles on a single charge. While there are still challenges to be addressed before the technology can be commercialized, the company believes this type of transportation will eventually become widespread.
The vehicle, which uses propellers to lift off the ground and soar through the sky, is similar to a drone in appearance but is intended for human use. AIR and other companies around the globe are betting on the success of this innovative mode of transportation.
What the company CEO Rani Plaut said?
According to Rani Plaut, CEO, and co-founder of AIR, the successful unmanned flight marks a significant milestone towards mass production of the AIR ONE.
However, there are still several obstacles to overcome before people can expect to fly across cities in small vehicles like this, including the creation of regulations and commercialization of the technology.
The next phase of testing will involve a human onboard, and Plaut hopes to bring the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to market at the end of 2024 for a base price of $150,000.
The AIR ONE is expected to have an average speed of 100 mph and fly at an altitude of 1,200 feet on a daily basis.