Latest news with #PAL-VLiberty
The National
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Self-driving taxis to hit Dubai roads this year under China tech partnership
A fleet of 'latest generation' self-driving taxis will hit the roads of Dubai this year, ahead of the full launch of operations in 2026. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has joined forces with China's Baidu in a major transport partnership that will see 1,000 of the company's autonomous vehicles on the move in the emirate by 2028. Dubai will trial 50 of the cutting-edge cars – operated under Baidu's ride-hailing service Apollo Go – in the coming months for data collection and testing to be conducted. This will pave the way for an official launch of the service next year, marking a significant step forward in Dubai's goal to have 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to be made autonomously by 2030. The UAE aims to become a leader in smart mobility systems to boost sustainability and adopt the latest technologies. Dubai began supervised testing of driverless vehicles on its public roads in October 2023 after the US self-driving tech company Cruise, which is backed by General Motors and Honda Motor, was issued with a trial permit. In Abu Dhabi, Uber and China's WeRide launched the Middle East's first commercial driverless mobility service in December. The UAE capital already has its own fleet of driverless taxis on Yas Island run by TXAI, the UAE's first driverless taxi service. In addition, electric air taxis are expected to begin operating in Dubai during the first quarter of 2026, the RTA confirmed in September. On Friday, The National revealed talks are under way to begin manufacturing a revolutionary 'flying car' in Sharjah, a project that centres on a vehicle that can function on the road and in the air. Developed by Dutch company PAL-V, it was shown at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park this week as Robert Dingemanse, the company's chief executive and co-founder, spoke of the vehicle's potential. PAL-V describes its creation as a 'fly-drive' vehicle, or an advanced air mobility solution. The EU Aviation Safety Agency has formally issued a 'no technical objection' certificate for the vehicle, called the PAL-V Liberty, a hybrid of a three-wheeled car and a gyroplane.
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf News
Look: Sharjah showcases $800,000 car that can fly from Abu Dhabi to Muscat in 2 hours 20 minutes
SHARJAH: Friday morning in Sharjah, Mamzar Beach is calling, but traffic is already heavy. Instead of joining the snaking line of cars on Corniche Road, navigate to a nearby designated airstrip and press a button on your car that can fly. After a quick system check, you receive local air traffic control clearance. With a powerful surge, the three-wheeled Liberty speeds down the runway, and within moments, the rotor engages, lifting you smoothly into the air above the gridlock. Traffic be gone! At least that was the vision presented by Robert Dingemanse - CEO and Founder of PAL-V – a Dutch company that has developed a roadworthy flying car. The company's prototype flying car – PAL-V Liberty - was unveiled on Thursday at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). From Abu Dhabi to Muscat in 2 hours According to the inventor, the car flies from one GCC nation to another in 2 hours and 20 minutes. 'For example, it can go from Dubai to Bahrain in 2 hours 20 minutes,' said Dingemanse. It can go from Abu Dhabi to Muscat and other countries in the region in a similar time frame. 'I've been in disruptive technologies my whole life. Our design philosophy of complying with existing road and air regulations saved us many years in time to market,' said Dingemanse - who started developing the vehicle in 2008. He added, 'Instead of opting for a flying car concept based on not yet existing or immature technologies, requiring new regulations, we deliberately chose to design, engineer and manufacture a flying car with proven technologies.' The vehicle has a payload of 2 persons and 20kg of luggage for a 500 km journey. The company received its European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification earlier this month. This is the first time we have issued a No Technical Objection (NTO) for a FlyDrive vehicle in the Innovative Air Mobility sector. What is PAL-V Liberty? The PAL-V Liberty, known as the world's first real flying car due to the combination of a gyroplane and a vehicle, addresses the need to travel independently from (congested) roads and enhance travel flexibility. With a flight range of 500 km and a maximum airspeed of 180 km/h, the Liberty shortens commute and travel times. According to its inventor, the $800,000 car that can fly is a unique two-seater vehicle that seamlessly transforms from a three-wheeled road car into a gyroplane in approximately three minutes. Unlike other electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, PAL-V Liberty needs a short airstrip of about 200 meters for take-off and 30 meters for landing. Additionally, the pilot needs a specific gyroplane license obtained through the PAL-V institute. 'Plans are underway to open multiple training centres worldwide,' said Dingemanse. PAL-V in the UAE The UAE has been actively exploring and laying the groundwork for eVTOL technology in recent years, with ambitions accelerating particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to the founder CEO, the total value of PAL-V's current order book is between €150 to €200 million. And at least 20-30 per cent of the order value originates from the Middle East. Aviterra, a Dubai-based company, ordered PAL-V to bring 101 Liberty flying cars to the Middle East and Africa. Aviterra is run and backed by one of the founders of Jetex – an executive aviation company. The company is now seeking clearances from local aviation authorities such as UAE's GCAA and Saudi Arabia's GACA for operation. 'The good thing is that the world is looking at what EASA and the FAA are doing because they are major certification bodies worldwide. I received confirmation from the CAAC in China that they've asked us to start applying for the last phase,' he said. 'Our goal is to build a fully-functional assembly line in the Middle East eventually,' said Dingemanse. All the production is currently happening in the Netherlands. Sharjah's SRTI Park hopes to act as a "conduit", bringing together academia, industry, and government to advance the technology. Juma Alhaj - communications strategy and marketing director – said they are in discussions with PAL-V about potentially hosting the assembly line for their unique dual-purpose flying car in Sharjah, with the aim of "bolstering the economy" and utilizing local university resources for further research and development. Use-case scenarios Here are the potential uses of the PAL-V Liberty, according to its inventor: Quick transport of specialists to crisis areas. Safer driving and flying compared to other aircraft. Accessing locations inaccessible to helicopters by land. Potentially safer than helicopters. Observation missions. Peacekeeping missions. Policing. First responders. Coast guards. Quick transportation of goods and employees (highlighted in Austria). Support for peace-keeping operations. VIP taxi services (Kuwait Airways MOU).
Arabian Business
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
EXCLUSIVE: First flying cars to hit UAE skies in 2027 at $799,000 per vehicle
Dutch company PAL-V has secured final regulatory approval for its flying car after a 12-year certification process, paving the way for the world's first commercially available flying car to debut in the United Arab Emirates by early 2027, the company's chief commercial officer told Arabian Business. The two-seat PAL-V Liberty, priced at $799,000, will begin production next year in the Netherlands with initial European deliveries scheduled for late 2026, followed shortly by rollout in the UAE through regional partner Jetex. 'We just had last Thursday the final signature of IATA,' Marco van den Bosch, Chief Commercial Officer of PAL-V, said in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Investment Meeting Congress on Monday. 'After nearly 12 years of certification, we got the final 'there's no objection'. So everything is okay now for IATA and FAA,' he added, referring to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration. The dual-mode vehicle operates as both a car on roads and transforms into a gyroplane for flight, offering a unique solution to urban congestion while catering to the luxury transportation market in the region. Final verification flights Before commercial rollout, the company will conduct 100 hours of 'verification flying' in early 2026, Van den Bosch explained. 'It's not test flying anymore, because it's a finished product,' he said, emphasising that regulatory hurdles that typically take 10-12 years for new aircraft have now been cleared. The vehicle, which represents a significant advance in personal mobility, will be introduced first in Europe before expanding to the UAE through the company's partnership with Jetex, a leading private aviation services provider in the region. 'We have a fantastic partner [Jetex]. We have worked now on not only selling the flying car, but you have to build a kind of ecosystem,' Van den Bosch said, explaining that infrastructure for maintenance and operations is already being developed. The company will conduct demonstration flights in Dubai and across the UAE beginning in late 2026, with plans to establish dedicated training centres for new owners. Built for sandy conditions The PAL-V Liberty has been specifically designed to handle desert environments, making the UAE an ideal market, according to the company. 'If you look at the machine, it's very good in what they call sandy conditions. Normally, [combining] sand and engines is a problem,' Van den Bosch said. 'For example, the helicopter starts flying amongst sand, and then it will sand blast your engines.' The flying car requires relatively modest infrastructure — a takeoff area of just 200 metres by 30 metres — which can be established in various locations throughout the region. For landing, the space requirement is even smaller at just 30 metres. 'These are grassroots or sandy overall… it's very small,' Van den Bosch explained, adding that the gyroplane design offers significant safety advantages, including the ability to make emergency landings in very limited spaces. 'The great thing about the gyroplane is that we have two engines in it. These are redundant, so if one fails, I still can fly. If they both fail, I've got a kind of flying parachute, which means that I can steer, and I only need zero to 30 metres to do a landing or an emergency landing.' Dual licensing requirement Owners will need both a driving licence and a private pilot licence to operate the vehicle, with PAL-V offering an expedited training programme designed for busy entrepreneurs. 'We made a special private training, because these are all entrepreneurs and have money, but time is also essential. So we put that in six times five days,' Van den Bosch said, describing a focused training regimen that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills. The company has established a flight school in the Netherlands and plans to open additional facilities in Italy and the UAE to support the growing customer base. Market positioning At $799,000, the PAL-V Liberty represents a significant investment, but the company positions it as cost-effective compared to alternatives like helicopters. 'It's nearly 10 times cheaper to fly this than a helicopter,' Van den Bosch claimed, adding that the PAL-V can perform '90 per cent of the helicopter roles' including observation, medical services, and logistics. The company sees strong demand from both government agencies and wealthy individuals looking to avoid traffic congestion in major cities. Interestingly, about 90 per cent of the current customer base consists of individuals who have never flown before, Van den Bosch revealed. 'The only two solutions for [traffic congestion] is either into the ground or into the air,' he said. 'So a lot of things are happening, and they say the next 10 years will see more changes than in the past 100 years.' Regional expansion plans Following the UAE launch, PAL-V aims to expand across the Middle East, with its partnership with Jetex covering the entire UAE market initially. 'We made a deal with Jetex for the whole UAE,' Van den Bosch confirmed, adding that the company has previously showcased its vehicle in Saudi Arabia and sees potential for further regional growth. The company chose the UAE as its Middle East entry point due to the region's high spending power, suitable climate conditions, and existing aviation infrastructure through Jetex. 'With the partner Jetex, we already have the flying environment. They already have the DNA of flying. So we're very happy and it's easy to work with Jetex,' he said. As urban mobility continues to evolve, PAL-V believes the time is right for flying cars to become a reality, with Van den Bosch expressing complete confidence in the market's readiness. 'Because the materials are there, the safety possibilities are like 100 per cent, and if you look at the mobility, specifically in and around the big cities, it's going to be a mess in the coming 10 years,' he said. For residents of Dubai, the flying car could dramatically reduce travel times during peak hours. 'If I have to go from, let's say, the south to the north of Dubai… I can fly it in five minutes,' Van den Bosch said.
Zawya
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
AIM Congress 2025 showcases the future of mobility within the Future Cities portfolio
Abu Dhabi, UAE: AIM Congress 2025, in its 14th edition, will highlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced transportation. Among this year's most prominent participants is PAL-V, showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the world's first FlyDrive vehicle. This revolutionary vehicle combines the convenience of traditional driving with the freedom of flying, presenting a practical vision for the future of mobility. As transportation systems face increasing challenges, such as traffic congestion and intercity travel delays, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) offers a transformational solution, enhancing efficiency, reducing travel time, and improving transportation infrastructure worldwide. 'As mobility evolves, we are proud to showcase the PAL-V Liberty at AIM Congress 2025,' said Robert Dingemanse, Founder and CEO of PAL-V. 'The UAE's forward-thinking approach to advanced air mobility makes it an ideal platform to explore how FlyDrive vehicles can revolutionize transportation. With the PAL-V Liberty, we are bringing the future of mobility to reality—creating seamless, efficient, and flexible transportation solutions for governments, professionals and private individuals.' PAL-V Liberty: A Ground-breaking Innovation in Mobility In 2020, PAL-V Liberty achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first FlyDrive vehicle to obtain European road certification, allowing it to drive alongside traditional vehicles. After four years of safe operation on public roads, it has successfully passed its first Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI), reaffirming its safety and reliability as both a road vehicle and an aircraft. PAL-V is now finalizing its aviation certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), paving the way for the first deliveries of PAL-V Liberty to government agencies, businesses, and individual customers eager to embrace this revolutionary mobility technology. UAE: A Global Leader in Advanced Mobility Solutions The United Arab Emirates has positioned itself as a global pioneer in smart and sustainable mobility, investing heavily in advanced air mobility, autonomous vehicles, and cutting-edge infrastructure. This commitment solidifies its status as a leading hub for innovation in the transportation sector. The PAL-V FlyDrive platform aligns seamlessly with the UAE's vision for the future, offering a scalable and practical mobility solution that integrates smoothly into the country's evolving transportation landscape. As traffic congestion continues to challenge major cities worldwide, the ability to switch between driving and flying offers a game-changing approach to reducing travel time, increasing efficiency, and enhancing productivity while improving the overall quality of life. A Unique Experience for Visitors at AIM 2025 Visitors to AIM Congress 2025 will have an exclusive opportunity to see the PAL-V Liberty up close and learn about its journey from concept to reality. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with the PAL-V team, explore investment and partnership opportunities, and discuss how PAL-V's solutions can be integrated into global transportation networks, contributing to more efficient and flexible mobility systems worldwide. The 14th edition of AIM Congress will be held from April 7 to 9, 2025, under the theme 'Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalized Investment Landscape - Towards a New Balanced World Structure,' at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. It will feature over 25,000 prominent participants from 180 countries. AIM Congress 2025, an initiative of the AIM Global Foundation, is set to offer a wide range of activities, including events, forums, dialogue sessions, workshops, high-level meetings, the AIM Investment Awards and Exhibition, a start-ups competition, and showcases country-specific investment opportunities, highlighting eight key portfolios: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Global Trade, Startups and Unicorns, Future Cities, Future Finance, Global Manufacturing, Digital Economy, and Entrepreneurs. -Ends-
Al Etihad
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi: AIM Congress 2025 to showcase world's first FlyDrive vehicle
21 Mar 2025 16:48 ABU DHABI (WAM)The 14th edition of AIM Congress, set to take place from April 7-9, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will spotlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio. The event will bring together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced year's edition will host over 25,000 participants from 180 under the theme 'Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalised Investment Landscape - Towards a New Balanced World Structure,' AIM Congress 2025 will feature PAL-V as one of its most prominent participants. The company will showcase the PAL-V Liberty, the world's first FlyDrive vehicle – a revolutionary innovation that combines the convenience of traditional driving with the freedom of flight, offering a practical vision for the future of transportation systems face increasing challenges, such as traffic congestion and intercity travel delays, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) offers a transformational solution, enhancing efficiency, reducing travel time, and improving transportation infrastructure worldwide.'As mobility evolves, we are proud to showcase the PAL-V Liberty at AIM Congress 2025,' said Robert Dingemanse, Founder and CEO of PAL-V. 'The UAE's forward-thinking approach to advanced air mobility makes it an ideal platform to explore how FlyDrive vehicles can revolutionise transportation. With the PAL-V Liberty, we are bringing the future of mobility to reality—creating seamless, efficient, and flexible transportation solutions for governments, professionals and private individuals.'In 2020, PAL-V Liberty achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first FlyDrive vehicle to obtain European road certification, allowing it to drive alongside traditional four years of safe operation on public roads, it has successfully passed its first Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI), reaffirming its safety and reliability as both a road vehicle and an is now finalising its aviation certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), paving the way for the first deliveries of PAL-V Liberty to government agencies, businesses, and individual customers eager to embrace this revolutionary mobility United Arab Emirates has positioned itself as a global pioneer in smart and sustainable mobility, investing heavily in advanced air mobility, autonomous vehicles, and cutting-edge infrastructure. This commitment solidifies its status as a leading hub for innovation in the transportation PAL-V FlyDrive platform aligns seamlessly with the UAE's vision for the future, offering a scalable and practical mobility solution that integrates smoothly into the country's evolving transportation landscape. As traffic congestion continues to challenge major cities worldwide, the ability to switch between driving and flying offers a game-changing approach to reducing travel time, increasing efficiency, and enhancing productivity while improving the overall quality of to AIM Congress 2025 will have an exclusive opportunity to see the PAL-V Liberty up close and learn about its journey from concept to reality. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with the PAL-V team, explore investment and partnership opportunities, and discuss how PAL-V's solutions can be integrated into global transportation networks, contributing to more efficient and flexible mobility systems worldwide.
