Important Innovations Collection

Zuri 2.0 Could Be an eVTOL Travel Gamechanger Source:  Zuri Highly Advanced Hybrid Electric Flying Machine Prague, Czech Republic-based, urban air mobility startup Zuri has unveiled a long distance, unmanned eVTOL (electric, vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. The aircraft has a big range of 435 miles which could make it an industry gamechanger.  To date, most eVTOLs have had very limited range: many in the neighborhood of 50 to 100 miles.  Zuri extended the vehicle's range by using a hybrid electric powertrain.  Zuri 2.0 is designed to carry 4 to 5 passengers for regional travel.  The company has also unveiled a cargo version of the eVTOL.  Both versions fly by autopilot.  All phases of the flight are unmanned. Technology Details Zuri is a hybrid eVTOL with eight tilting electric motors (4 propellers in the front and 4 propellers in the back) for vertical takeoffs and landings.  There's a turboprop engine for forward flight.  It can fly 435 miles in less than 3 hours. The m

New E-Bike Designed for Urban Biking                                                       Source:  RipRacer New Biking Tech San Diego based Juiced Bike is launching its newest electric bike - the RipRacer.  The bike is designed to be different and customized for urban biking.  The company calls it a "fun sized bike" with a smaller frame and smaller 20-inch fat tires.  Although specifically targeted for city biking, it still can be used on trails and dirt.  It is built to be more maneuverable, agile and nimble for cycling around cities. Globally, e-biking is a huge travel trend and a $20 billion growing industry.  The new RipRacer is being manufactured in China, which is the #1 hot spot for e-biking in the world. Tech Specs The new e-bike comes in two models.  There is a more powerful Class 3 model with a top speed of 28 mph and a 55-mile range per charge.  It is powered by a 52 V 15.6 Ah battery with 70 Wh of capacity.  Class 2 model has a top speed of 20 mph and a maximum r

Slovakia's Klein Vision Air Car                                          Source:  Klein Vision AirCar Dawn of a New Type of Travel There's a big breakthrough for the global flying car industry.  Slovakia based Klein Vision's AirCar has been awarded a certificate of airworthiness allowing it to fly.  The flying car has completed 70 hours of rigorous flight tests including more than 200 take-offs and landings.  It's a landmark event heralding the dawn of a new mode of travel.  The certificate was awarded by the Slovak Transport Authority.  A pilot's license is required to fly the vehicle. Tech Specs With the press of a button, AirCar can transform from a car to a plane in 2 minutes and 15 seconds.  It's powered by a 140 hp,1.6-liter, 4-cylinder BMW combustion engine. The engine powers the fixed propeller when flying and the wheels when driving on the road. To drive, the vehicle automatically folds the wings, raises them up and then stores them in the composite bod

Venerable Brand Targets Return to Profitability with DBX                                             Source:  Aston Martin 007 James Bond's Car of Choice UK-based Aston Martin is an historic luxury car brand that epitomizes prestige, beauty, performance, speed and panache.  It was 007 James Bond's car of choice for his spy movie adventures.  Now to bring in new customers and sustain its future, Aston Martin has created what's being called a "super SUV" - the DBX.  The DBX is of the upmost importance to Aston Martin.  The company hopes it will return it to profitability and ensure its long-term survival.  Style and Price The DBX is huge, sleek, curvy and pricey at nearly $190,000.  The powertrain was developed with Aston Martin's partner Mercedes-AMG.  They upgraded a 4-liter turbocharged V8 to pump out more than 542 hp.  Mercedes also provided the infotainment system, the interior seating and a full suite of driving modes.  The vehicle is elegant, luxurious an

Soaring into History                                      Source:  BMWi & Peter Salzman New Form of Zero Emissions Flight BMWi, a sub-brand of BMW focused on electric vehicles, and veteran skydiver Peter Salzman of Austria have set a world record for wingsuit flying.  BMWi and Salzman have invented a propulsion system, which is strapped around Salzman's chest. The flying wingsuit system allows him to fly like a bird.  Wingsuit flying is an extreme sport that has been growing in popularity during the past few years.  BMWi and Salzman have just made history with their unprecedented flight. Flying Science Fiction Their wingsuit invention is straight out of science fiction.  It is composed of two carbon filter rotors powered by lithium-ion batteries. It provides zero emissions, electric flying. The propulsion system provides up to 5 minutes of flight. Salzman switches on the flying suit as he hurtles through the sky from a helicopter.  He can increase the speed and also soar to hig

Electric Scooter is Bugatti's 1st EV Not a Hypercar                                              Source:  Bugatti e-Scooter Zero Emissions e-Scooting France-based Bugatti is a 113-year-old automaker that's synonymous with speed, performance, style and 7-figure price tags. Tampa Bay Bucs Quarterback great Tom Brady is an owner of a Bugatti Veyron sports car as part of his car collection. Bugatti's fastest model car, the Chiron Super Sport 300, can hit speeds of 340 mph.  So, it is surprising that the company's first ever electric vehicle is an electric scooter, whose maximum speed is 18 mph. The e-scooter was unveiled at CES 2022 and like everything Bugatti, it is first-class for design, performance, power and technology. Tech Specs The Bugatti e-scooter's powertrain contains a 700-watt electric motor and 36-volt battery. The 700-watt motor makes it twice as powerful as the Lamborghini AL1 e-scooter. The Bugatti's e-scooter range is 22 miles on a charge.  It has

Flying Taxi Sets Speed & Flight Length Records                                                                         Source:  Joby Aviation Readies For Takeoff for Commuters Thanks to Joby Aviation, we may soon be hailing flying air taxis to get around cities.  The California-based startup's full-size prototype S4 has successfully completed what the company claims is the fastest flight of an eVTOL to date.  It hit speeds of 205 mph.  The previous record was 200 mph.  It is believed the eVTOL was piloted by remote control and is operating as a drone.  Joby has also established a new range record of 154.6 miles on a single charge during a 77-minute flight.  As a result of these test flights, Joby holds the current records for speed and flight length globally for eVTOLs. Highly Advanced Aviation Innovation The Joby S4 is a highly advanced piece of aviation technology.  It is powered by six, electric rotors.  The six rotors all tilt forward in a vectored thrust configuration for

Claims to Be World's Most Efficient Vehicle                                             Source:  Aptera Motors Driving on Sunshine San Diego, CA based Aptera Motors is a startup focused on developing very high efficiency electric vehicles.  It has developed one of the most promising solar powered vehicles going into production.  Aptera's 3-wheeled solar electric car is revolutionary travel technology.  Aptera is designed for an average daily commute of 40 miles without any recharge.  It can travel 40 miles a day on pure sunshine converted to electricity by its integrated solar panels. It charges as it drives. And if the travel distance is greater than 40 miles, a charge will add an additional 1,000 miles of range.  That is the longest range delivered by any electric vehicle to date.  This solar EV may be the benchmark zero emissions car to beat.  The price starts at $25,900. Many Upgrades Are Being Incorporated Aptera has been testing, tweaking and upgrading its Beta prototype

XTurismo Limited Edition                                                                                     Source:  A.L.I. Technologies Highly Advanced Hoverbike From Japan The new XTurismo Limited Edition Hoverbike is straight out of science fiction.  Japan's A.L. I. Technologies has invented and is taking deposits on a hoverbike very similar to the one that Luke Skywalker rode in the Return of the Jedi, except this one is the real deal.  There are 200 limited editions being produced of this awesome hoverbike.  It is composed of carbon fiber and is priced at $777,000.  This is being called the world's first commercial hoverbike. Tech Specs The XTurismo Limited is unique.  There are two large rotors in the center of its frame and four smaller rotors on the outer edges.  The 4 smaller rotors are powered by electric motors.  The main power for the vehicle comes from a 228 hp gas-powered Kawasaki engine, designed for motorcycle competition. The hoverbike's drive system was c

New, Individual Aerial Mobility Vehicle Source:  ZEVA Zero New Aerial Commute Looks Like a UFO Tacoma Washington-based ZEVA has developed an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff & landing vehicle) designed as a personal flying vehicle that holds one person.  It has the distinct appearance of a UFO or flying saucer.  It takes off quickly and efficiently vertically and then moves into a horizontal position for high speeds up to 160 mph. That means the occupant would be hurtling, headfirst, during the flight.  This EV does not appear to be for the faint of heart.  But interestingly, it is clearing test flights, has a range of 50 miles on a charge and does have significant efficiency advantages over some other eVTOLs. Zero Has Tested Successfully Zero has been under development for several years and has been successfully test flown several times.  The testing has been done by operating Zero by remote radio controls in a rural area of Washington state.  Mannequins have been onboard but that

Daymak Spiritus EV                                                                                     Source:  Daymak Unique, New Form of Travel  Toronto, Canada-based, electric vehicle developer Daymak has invented "the world's fastest three-wheeled electric car".  It's called the Daymak Spiritus and it introduces a new, three wheeled dimension to car travel.  Spiritus is a two-seater and it's the first EV in a lineup of six, highly innovative electric vehicles that Daymak will be rolling out.  The EVs include: Skirider - flying, high performance EV Aspero - enclosed, electric All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) Terra electric bike Foras - covered, recumbent electric bike Tectus - All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) electric scooter. The new Spiritus is being offered as two, distinct performance level models.  The Spiritus Ultimate contains highly advanced EV technologies and has a top speed of 130 mph.  The Spiritus Deluxe is much less expensive and can reach speeds of 85 mph. Tech Sp

Bellwether's Volar - Flying Hypercar eVTOL                                             Source:  Bellwether A Personal Flying Machine Designed for City Travel Volar is a highly innovative eVTOL (electric, vertical take-off and landing) vehicle that is worthy of a future, secret agent like James Bond.  It looks like a very sleek combination of a spaceship from another planet and a hypercar.  It doesn't look like an aircraft as the propulsion system is hidden from view underneath the body of the very sci-fi flying machine.  The eVTOL is the boldly innovative creation of London-based startup Bellwether Industries.  The personal flying machine is designed to make inner city travel much easier.  Testing of a half-sized demonstrator prototype of Volar is now underway.  The demonstrator, named Antelope, is being remotely piloted.  The Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicle is designed for private use and appears to be a pilot-less drone, although it is still under development. Urban Travel B