A new startup in San Mateo, California, has revealed the plans for its next flying car. For now, the car, known as Model A, is still developing. It is hoped that the car will look like a sleek electric car but also be capable of vertical take-off and able to fly for 110km (68 miles).
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This new startup hopes to compete in the market dominated by other flying cars like AirCar and the Pal-V gyrocopter, which are already flying and driving.
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However, the CEO of Alef, Jim Dukhovny, argues that these other cars are not entirely flying cars in his opinion.
He states, “a flying car has to be a car which means it can drive on a regular street and park in a regular parking space. And it also should have vertical take-off.
“If you require an airport to take off, what problem are you solving? And why is this a flying car?”
The Exterior Of The Model A Car
The Model A exterior has a mesh so air can pass through to eight propellers inside the body, providing lift. But flying any distance using a propeller and not wings require a prohibitive amount of power.
The company’s solution is this: for longer flights, the Model A transforms into a biplane.
After a vertical lift-off, the Model A will turn onto its side, the two-person cockpit swivels so the driver remains facing forward, and the car becomes a biplane with the long sides of the car forming the top and bottom wings.
It’ll assume a classic biplane shape with two wings, one on top of the other.
According to BBC, the idea is ingenious, but is it practical?
BBC notes that bringing flying and driving together adds weight, electric power also means heavy batteries.
However, the CEO believes having a driving and flying car is possible, and the early adopters of the car will pay $300,000 (₦219 million) for one. The company hopes to start selling the car by 2025.
Conclusion
There’s no saying how realizable such a car is. However, it’s an innovative idea and approach that could change the face of transportation when it finally happens.
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