Important Innovations

   Big Competition for $49 Billion Helicopter Industry                                                                                Source:  AIR AIR's Flying Taxis 200 companies around the world are developing eVTOLs that could prove to be big disruptors of the $49 billion helicopter industry. Flying taxi company AIR is a primary example with impressive tech: Israel and California based AIR has developed a powerful, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) with a multi-market focus, including displacing helicopters as transit to and from yachts AIR is partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to build an air taxi business within the yachting community to ferry passengers, cargo and supplies back and forth between yachts and the shore The sales pitch:  eVTOL air taxis are safer with far fewer parts that can break down, much cheaper, emit zero emissions and operate with much greater efficiency than helicopters SeaKeepers, which is an educational o

  Solar Car Going into Production                                             Source:  Aptera  Long Range, Relatively Inexpensive & Revolutionary California-based startup Aptera is bringing into production a revolutionary, 3-wheel, solar-powered electric car with very long range and the potential, according to some automotive experts, to create a new industry.  Here are the pertinent facts: Aptera's solar-powered, 3-wheel EV, called Launch Edition, delivers 400 miles on a single charge with its initial, 42 kwh battery Some automotive experts believe this 3-wheel car is such an innovative breakthrough vehicle, that it will create a brand new automotive genre and industry Relatively inexpensive at $33,200 and is expected to attract young consumers and people on a limited budget as big buyers Claims to be the world's most efficient solar electric vehicle Equipped with DC fast charging that will roll-out at 40 to 60 kWh of DC fast charging and then a 100 kWh version Aptera is d

  Aptera's Launch Edition with 3-Wheels Source:  Aptera  Long Range, Relatively Inexpensive & Revolutionary California-based startup Aptera is bringing into production a revolutionary, 3-wheel, solar-powered electric car with very long range and the potential, according to some automotive experts, to create a new industry.  Here are the pertinent facts: Aptera's solar-powered, 3-wheel EV, called Launch Edition, delivers 400 miles on a single charge with its initial, 42 kwh battery Some automotive experts believe this 3-wheel car is such an innovative breakthrough vehicle, that it will create a brand new automotive genre and industry Relatively inexpensive at $33,200 and is expected to attract young consumers and people on a limited budget as big buyers Claims to be the world's most efficient solar electric vehicle Equipped with DC fast charging that will roll-out at 40 to 60 kWh of DC fast charging and then a 100 kWh version Aptera is developing a 1,000 mile range versi

  Autonomous Cargo Delivery System                                                  Source:  MightyFly Faster, Cheaper, Carbon Neutral San Francisco Bay Area based MightyFly is on the cusp of revolutionizing logistics with its autonomous eVTOL.  Here are the pertinent facts: Patent-pending, autonomous cargo delivery eVTOL for rapid, cheaper and faster same day, door-to-door logistics Range of 600 miles, top speed of 150 mph and cargo capacity up to 500 pounds Flies 3-times faster than the highway speed of the average delivery van Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) that is carbon neutral Just received FAA Certificate of Authorization for long range flight testing Will begin testing its last mile and middle mile logistical services Just unveiled its 2nd generation eVTOL aircraft, MightyFly Cento Cento has a unique hybrid-electric powertrain with an internal combustion engine that recharges Cento's batteries while flying which enables multiple, consecutive deliveries  Cento

  Real Flying and Driving Car                                                                           Source:  ASKA The Future of Travel Mountain View, CA based ASKA has unveiled a fully functional flying car, A5, for personal driving and flying travel.  Here are the pertinent facts: ASKA says the A5 is the world's 1st flying and driving car that will redefine the next 100 years of travel A5 is a real flying and driving car that has a hybrid power system Dual energy system includes proprietary electric power system with lithium ion battery packs and gas engine range extender To drive, 4 wheels emerge from the fuselage for all-wheel driving To fly, vehicle's large wings with 6 rotors unfold to take off and land vertically (VTOL) or for a slow runway takeoff and landing (STOL) Flying top speed is 150 mph Flying range is 250 miles on a charge 4-seater that is the size of an SUV Fits into a car parking spot, can be charged at home or at a charging station ASKA expects to deploy o

 ASKA A5  Flying Car                                                                           Source:  ASKA The Future of Travel Mountain View, CA based ASKA has unveiled a fully functional flying car, A5, for personal driving and flying travel.  Here are the pertinent facts: ASKA says the A5 is the world's 1st flying and driving car that will redefine the next 100 years of travel A5 is a real flying and driving car that has a hybrid power system Dual energy system includes proprietary electric power system with lithium ion battery packs and gas engine range extender To drive, 4 wheels emerge from the fuselage for all-wheel driving To fly, vehicle's large wings with 6 rotors unfold to take off and land vertically (VTOL) or for a slow runway takeoff and landing (STOL) Flying top speed is 150 mph Flying range is 250 miles on a charge 4-seater that is the size of an SUV Fits into a car parking spot, can be charged at home or at a charging station ASKA expects to deploy on-demand

  Speeder Closes in on FAA Certification                                                                                      Source:  JetPack Aviation New Way to Commute Above Traffic Jams   California-based JetPack Aviation, maker of JetPack personal flying gear, has developed the world's 1st flying motorcycle that's moving toward FAA certification.  Here are the pertinent facts: One of the world's smallest personal flying aircraft that uniquely operates as a flying street bike  Flies on 8 small, but very powerful jet engines Range of 30 minutes Cruising speed for personal use at 60 mph Seeking & working with FAA for an airworthiness certificate for experimental aircraft VTOL technology (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) Now undergoing operational testing in Ventura, CA Provides autonomous takeoffs and landings Operates on fly by wire technology like a fighter jet Very simple operating controls on the handgrip for takeoff, landing, speed and climbing Internal flight contr

  A5 Looks Like World's 1st Flying & Driving Car                                             Source:  Aska Closing in on FAA Authorization At CES 2023, California-based eVTOL company Aska unveiled and flew its flying car A5, which is very close to FAA authorization and operations.  Here are the salient facts and features of A5: Aska says A5 will win FAA authorization "within the month" It's the world's first, 4 seat flying & driving car It is likely to be the world's first, fully operational flying car The eVTOL is powered by a proprietary power system with lithium-ion battery packs backed up by a gas engine that extends the range Range on a charge is 250 miles when flying When driving, the 4 wheels are outside of the fuselage for enhanced aerodynamics For flying, the wings and 6 rotors unfold for vertical takeoffs or for short runway takeoffs and landings (STOL) First-of-its-kind drive & fly EV that's the size of an SUV It can fit into a car p

   A5 Looks Like World's 1st Flying & Driving Car                                             Source:  Aska Closing in on FAA Authorization At CES 2023, California-based eVTOL company Aska unveiled and flew its flying car A5, which is very close to FAA authorization and operations.  Here are the salient facts and features of A5: Aska says A5 will win FAA authorization "within the month" It's the world's first, 4 seat flying & driving car It is likely to be the world's first, fully operational flying car The eVTOL is powered by a proprietary power system with lithium-ion battery packs backed up by a gas engine that extends the range Range on a charge is 250 miles when flying When driving, the 4 wheels are outside of the fuselage for enhanced aerodynamics For flying, the wings and 6 rotors unfold for vertical takeoffs or for short runway takeoffs and landings (STOL) First-of-its-kind drive & fly EV that's the size of an SUV It can fit into a car

  Hyperion XP-1                                                  Source:  Hyperion XP-1 Driving With Zero Carbon Emissions California-based startup Hyperion has developed a hydrogen powered car, called Hyperion XP-1, that packs 2,000 hp and has a range of more than 1,000 miles.  Still a prototype, the h-car is a spectacular vehicle with a highly unusual, futuristic design and distinctive, unconventional proportions.  For example, the vehicle has Bugatti-style adjustable blades covered with solar panels.  Hyperion not only has a distinctive hydrogen hypercar;  but also, it plans to build a network of hydrogen fill-up stations. The stations will deploy NASA refueling technology to keep fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and battery  electric vehicles (BEV) powered and on the move.  Hydrogen's Advantages and Tech Specs Hydrogen offers drivers a huge advantage. It takes only 5 minutes to fill up the hydrogen tanks and off you go with zero carbon emissions driving.  The Hyperion XP-1 po

  Hyperion XP-1                                                  Source:  Hyperion XP-1 Driving With Zero Carbon Emissions California-based startup Hyperion has developed a hydrogen powered car, called Hyperion XP-1, that packs 2,000 hp and has a range of more than 1,000 miles.  Still a prototype, the h-car is a spectacular vehicle with a highly unusual, futuristic design and distinctive, unconventional proportions.  For example, the vehicle has Bugatti-style adjustable blades covered with solar panels.  Hyperion not only has a distinctive hydrogen hypercar;  but also, it plans to build a network of hydrogen fill-up stations. The stations will deploy NASA refueling technology to keep fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and battery  electric vehicles (BEV) powered and on the move.  Hydrogen's Advantages and Tech Specs Hydrogen offers drivers a huge advantage. It takes only 5 minutes to fill up the hydrogen tanks and off you go with zero carbon emissions driving.  The Hyperion XP-1 po

  Lucid's 2023 Air Pure and Air Touring                                                       Source:  Lucid EV's With 400 Miles + Range on a Charge California-based luxury EV maker Lucid has put into production two, notable, long-range cars that deliver up to 425 miles of range on a single charge.  Called Air Pure and Air Touring, they are new editions of Lucid's flagship luxury sedan Air. Both EVs have dual electric motors and all-wheel drive.  They are specifically designed to be more affordable versions of Air.  And they are fast.  Touring can go from 0 to 60 mph in a sizzling 3.4 seconds.  Air can do the same in 3.8 seconds. Very Long Driving Range These vehicles are being produced as limited editions.  Air Pure is completely sold-out.  It is priced at $87,400.  Air Touring goes for around $100,000.  In order to increase the vehicles' efficiencies, Lucid reduced the EVs weight and upgraded the aerodynamics.  Those moves enabled the impressive range of 425 miles on

  EV With More Than 1,100 HP                                                  Source:  Lucid Biggest Range on a Charge on the Market California luxury EV maker Lucid has just unveiled its 2024 all-electric Gravity SUV that has, what Lucid is calling, "supercar levels of performance".  This is Lucid's second EV and its first electric SUV.  It will be delivered to customers in 2024 and goes into production in 2023.  Lucid is promising spectacular range and performance from this cutting edge, electrified vehicle.  It is designed to compete directly against other luxury EVs such as Tesla Model X and BMW iX.  Lucid says Gravity promises to be as quick as a supercar and spacious like an SUV.   Tech Specs That We Know Lucid claims Gravity will have "more range than any other EV" on the market. That suggests that Gravity's range will exceed 516 miles on a charge, which is what the Lucid Air Grand Touring sedan is built to deliver. The electric EV is expected to have