At least their batteries won’t explode in midair now...
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.
Sounds like their business model was screwed up from the get-go. What did they need 3 different office locations for? That’s a lot of overhead
They should have kept it small and started in an airport hangar
Damn I’ve always wanted a flying car like George Jetson, that would be so cool.
Should have went with the Jetson design...
Not likely ever.
Most people are not able to think in terms of 3D, in terms of their spatiality at a proficient level to operate a flying car. They only way that a flying car could be made feasible, if brought down to affordability, is if it was completely automated.
Getting closer, but the decibels.
This “flying skateboard” is off-the-charts cool, but it’s probably loud as sh!t. If you haven’t seen it watch it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQzLrvz4DKQ
They couldn’t hire George Jetson?
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.
Federal money finally gave out. Most of that went to the Caymans.
...just like "green" energy.
Rename the company: SOLYNDRA.
People can’t drive on the roads, lets not add another dimension.
Another startup that hasn’t folded yet is Elio. Now they’re hawking EVs.
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!
The “Lilium” company is getting close (”eVTOL”):
https://automationswitch.com/list-of-evtol-companies-to-watch-in-2022/
Might’ve been a good idea...until the batteries caught fire in mid-flight.
But hey...they wised up and dumped their idea...so no harm done.
Their business model should have included a Flight School. Gubmint won’t allow people flying around, endangering themselves and everybody nearby on terra firma without a valid pilot’s license.