Posted on 10/05/2022 2:05:10 PM PDT by NohSpinZone
A Silicon Valley flying car startup that received backing from Google's Larry Page and set out to revolutionize the way people get around is closing locations and laying off employees.
Kittyhawk gave pink slips to 100 employees, according to a WARN notice filed with state labor officials on Sept. 22. The WARN notice posted with California's Employment Development Department also indicated that the company is permanently closing three offices, including two in Palo Alto at 821 San Antonio Rd. and 4062 Fabian Way and another in Mountain View at 2639 Terminal Blvd. The layoffs and closures were reported to the state on Sept. 22 and will go into effect on Nov. 22.
Kittyhawk didn't respond to a request for comment on the layoffs, but a message on its LinkedIn page posted on Sept. 21 said, "We have made the decision to wind down Kittyhawk. We're still working on the details of what's next."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
“Owners probably sold their stock or pocketed the grant money, whichever applies.”
Still in business. Partnered with Boeing.
So, they thought that people who can’t drive ground vehicles safely would become excellent drivers if only you added another dimension.
Car drivers are undisciplined. Absolute discipline and adherence to rules is required to fly.
Not surprised at the outcome.
Ha! Blew my mind when I learned that the book was written by Ian Fleming and screenplay by the “Willy Wonka” author.
Oh, and Dick Van Dyke was drunk as a skunk throughout the filming.
They did.
Our latest publicly released all-electric aircraft can autonomously take off, fly and land without any human pilot on a small landing pad only slightly larger than its wingspan.
Video of their two flying prototypes are at the above website.
I think their problems began with trying to come up with a business model that would offer these air taxis to the public and turn a profit.
Federal money finally gave out. Most of that went to the Caymans.
By Ian Flemming !?! I looked it up and you are right ! That explains so much. 'Chitty' was one of the earliest Bondmobiles !
...just like "green" energy.
Rename the company: SOLYNDRA.
Damn I’ve always wanted a flying car like George Jetson, that would be so cool.
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Especially as it folded up into a briefcase after he landed it.
WOW!
But, gee, I wonder why sitting alone high up in an airplane device with no pilot might be a problem for Joe Commuter?
Start as a package delivery service or have a corporate entity utilize these machines commuting from the airport to their home office or some such. Demonstrate for a couple/three years that these machines are safe and reliable.
I still would not ride if I had to sign a waiver of corporate responsibility in case of accident, fatal or otherwise. Gravity aims to be unyielding.
I have never rode in a helicopter and don't aim to. A hot-air baloon, maybe :)
People can’t drive on the roads, lets not add another dimension.
They were working on an electric aircraft that could take off and land vertically like a quad copter, fly horizontally like a conventional aircraft, and take passengers from point A to point B flying over the traffic.So which is supposed to be the genius part again? They need more offices, more employees or a battery powered Osprey that won't crash?
The Osprey is a prime example of trying to defy logic with wishful thinking.
Typical conservative desire. Biden on the other hand never cared about flying cars. His mind was always set on Daughter Judy.
Another startup that hasn’t folded yet is Elio. Now they’re hawking EVs.
LOL that Elio scam milked the State of Louisiana pretty hard. I’m surprised somebody hasn’t sued them.
Actually, the pedo-in-chief's mind was always on his own daughter Ashley and her *ahem* ablutions.
Hahaha. I had an offer from them for my specialized profession in aviation. I don’t mind taking the money but they required all the work to be there in Bay Area. HELL NO!
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