Personal Flying Cars May Be Luxury's New Status Symbol
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
In the future, having a flying car will be a unique and cutting-edge status symbol, even more than owning a customized Maybach or Rolls-Royce. Elite travelers will take to the skies, avoiding traffic, in their personal vehicles.
Doroni Aerospace is on the cutting edge of the market. The company recently secured $180 million in investment to bring America's first personal flying car to market.
The very modern company has its roots in the cartoons of the space age. "My whole life I've been fantasizing about flying cars—ever since I was young. I grew up watching shows like The Jetsons, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Back to the Future—all the futuristic stuff," Doroni Aerospace CEO Doron Merdinger told Newsweek.
"The idea basically started at the end of 2016. I had a 'eureka' moment when I saw this kid playing with a drone," he continued. "2016 was around the time when drones really started to be seen more frequently. I saw how accurately they flew, how sustainable they were, and how easy they were to control. I knew it was only going to progress."
Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car.
Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car.
Doroni Aerospace
The vision of what flying cars could look like led Merdinger to begin Googling like-minded people. "I knew I needed engineers from different specialties—like aerospace, battery technology, structural engineering, and more. Eventually, I pulled together a team: Ukrainian aerospace engineers, UK software systems engineers, and a battery expert from the U.S.," he said.
The first concept the newly-formed team came up with was an open single-seater, something Merdinger likens to a flying motorcycle. "But over time, I realized that the open cockpit wasn't the most compelling or sustainable concept. You want to feel comfortable and secure," he said.
By 2021, the company was approached by potential investors and shifted focus to a roadster-style two-seater prototype called the H1-P1. It was equipped with four ducted fans embedded inside the wings, engineering the company patented, and two rear thrusters.
With advanced technology and market feasibility comes added challenges. "We understood the challenges drones and helicopters face. For example, drones need to tilt more as they speed up, which can be uncomfortable for passengers and inefficient from an energy standpoint. That's why we knew ducted fans would set us apart. They offer key advantages: safety from bird strikes or people getting close, the ability to fly near urban areas or trees, better energy efficiency and lower noise levels. Plus, they look better—clean and compelling," Merdinger said.
In the post-COVID years, Doroni has been focused on developing a viable product that it can bring to market. The Doroni H1-X combines electric power with vertical takeoff and landing technology (eVTOL).
"In February 2023, we began test flights. I even flew inside the full-scale H1-P1 myself. We have also secured a special airworthiness certification from the FAA. That was huge as it shows the FAA is beginning to recognize and provide credibility for vehicles like ours," Merdinger said.
The company continues to raise funds. "Once the funding comes in, we'll expedite the vehicle's development. We'll have a 24-month runway where we will be focused on development and extensive testing, and parallel work on certification. There will be a lot of testing and building as we approach the product launch," the CEO said.
The company's website touts the H1-X production model's fast recharge time. It can bring its state of charge up to 80 percent in 25 minutes under ideal charging conditions. It is said to be able to fly for 40 minutes at a time with a range of 60 miles.
Owners will be able to take off and land their Doroni eVTOL on the flat rooftop of a two-car garage, or at one of the country's vertiports. A number of airfields and airports across the country are installing vertiports, including at some military bases.
Potential customers can reserve their H1-X with a $1,000 deposit. The expected cost of the unit is estimated to be around $350,000, about the same price as a Rolls-Royce Ghost.
"We currently have over 500 pre-order requests, many of whom have already put down deposits. All the pre-orders so far have come from individuals, which we like. We want to work closely with our first buyers to understand how they see this vehicle fitting into their lives, how they use it, how safe it feels. It's about learning together and delivering the safest, most groundbreaking personal vehicle possible," he said.
The company predicts that it won't be able to deliver its eVTOL to customers until at least 2026. "We expect the MOSAIC rules approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to stretch into 2026. We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles. It's important to take our time, work closely with the FAA, and do things the right way. We know this is disruptive technology which is why we need to stay grounded—no pun intended. We're creating something entirely new. It's important to stay cautious, iterate carefully, and remain aligned with the FAA," Merdinger said.
The FAA's MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rules are designed to expand the current light-sport aircraft category to include eVTOLs and other advanced aircraft.
"Once we're out there, the market will only grow exponentially. Companies are already approaching us with use cases—from luxury shuttle systems flying from New York to Tokyo in under an hour, to servicing wind turbines in remote ocean locations, and to farming. The use cases are endless," he concluded.
New York to Tokyo in under an hour may seem impossible at first glance. However, transportation and aerospace engineers are working on making it a reality. The 6,700-mile journey could be possible in three segments: a 20-minute flight using Doroni's H1-X from the passenger's home to the departure shuttle, a high-speed transcontinental flight lasting approximately 20 minutes and a final 20-minute flight from the arrival shuttle directly to the passenger's final destination.
Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car charging.
Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car charging.
Doroni Aerospace
Fortune Business Insights projects that the flying car market will be valued at $1.53 trillion USD by 2040.
There are several companies in the eVTOL development space, including Joby Aviation, which acquired Uber's flying car unit in late 2020. Uber then invested $75 million in the company.
Lilium, Archer Aviation and Vertical Aerospace are also working on eVTOL travel, as is aerospace powerhouse company Airbus.
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