Important Innovations Collection

    D AILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                          By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane NEW AIRCRAFT LOOKS LIKE A UFO                     Source:  Shenzhen UFO Science & Technology China has created a first-of-its-kind aircraft that is as close as you can get to a UFO-flying saucer Key details: eVTOL - takes-off and lands vertically Developed by researchers at Beihang University and Northwestern Polytechnical University Built by Shenzhen UFO Science & Technology Company Powered by ducted fan structure with 12 propel...

                     DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                          By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE GT3                                             Source:  Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang Dark Horse GT3 is putting in thunderous practice laps at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida to rev up for real global competition in 2024 The race car is a favorite of F...

DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                  By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane PORSCHE'S LUXURY CAMPER - "GLAMPING"                                                                      Source:  Airstream & Porsche VW's iconic, luxury automaker Porsche has partnered with top US travel-trailer maker Airstream to create the ultimate in luxury, glamorous, camping British newspaper "Daily Mail" is cal...

    DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                  By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane eVTOL PROSPERITY 1 SETS NEW WORLD RECORD                                                                           Source:  AutoFlight Shanghai-based eVTOL, flying taxi startup AutoFlight, just set a new world record for the longest distance flown by an eVTOL or electric, vertical takeoff and landin...

XPENG's X2 Gets Chinese Government Approval                                             Source:  XPENG's X2 A First in China:  Manned eVTOL Flight Approvals In an historic move, the Chinese government has given conditional approval for crewed flights for XPENG's flying car X2.  Here are the tech facts: First manned eVTOL to receive a licensed flight certificate in China Certificate allows XPENG to continue development and bring the eVTOL into production for commercialization by 2024 X2 combines the best in automotive and aviation technology Generation 5 X2 does not have wheels & doesn't drive but Generation 6 X2 will be a real driving and flying car X2 has completed more than 3,000 successful test flights Enclosed cockpit, minimalist teardrop design for maximum aerodynamic performance & carbon fiber structure that's about the size of an...

  A5 Looks Like World's 1st Flying & Driving Car                                             Source:  Aska Closing in on FAA Authorization At CES 2023, California-based eVTOL company Aska unveiled and flew its flying car A5, which is very close to FAA authorization and operations.  Here are the salient facts and features of A5: Aska says A5 will win FAA authorization "within the month" It's the world's first, 4 seat flying & driving car It is likely to be the world's first, fully operational flying car The eVTOL is powered by a proprietary power system with lithium-ion battery packs backed up by a gas engine that extends the range Range on a charge is 250 miles when flying When driving, the 4 wheels are outside of the fuselage for enhanced aerodynamics For flying, the wings and 6 rotors unfold for vertical takeoffs or for short runway t...

 Archer Aviation's Midnight                                             Source:  Archer Aviation Targets Commercial Operations Late 2024 - 2025 San Jose, California-based Archer Aviation has unveiled its flagship air taxi, Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle). Company Co-founder and CEO Adan Goldstein says that Midnight is likely to be the first flying taxi to be certified by the FAA and to fly in the US by late 2024.  250 of these 12-rotor, all-electric, zero emissions and very low noise level aircraft will be commercially launched in 2025 in a partnership with United Airlines. They will serve as a network of air taxis for urban air mobility in the US.  The eVTOLs carry a pilot and 4 passengers. Mission, Purpose & Tech Specs Midnight is designed to fly a 100-mile range on a charge.  But it will star...

 United Airlines & Archer Aviation's Midnight Air Taxis                                              Source:  Archer Aviation 1st Route:  Newark International Airport to NYC United Airlines and Archer Aviation have just announced the first air taxi route in the United States.  The two collaborators will start air taxi service out of Newark Liberty International Airport to downtown Manhattan and then expand services to connect many other cities to their nearby airports.  The Archer air taxis are called Midnight and they are eVTOLs, which are all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  The air taxis will fly from Newark International to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in New York City.  Archer says their flying taxi route is a first in the US.  Bold Innovation The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams calle...

  Alef's Model A Is Big Competition for XPeng's X3                                             Source:  Alef Aeronautics The Future of Flying Cars is Fast Approaching California-based flying car company Alef Aeronautics has unveiled its 2-passenger flying car Model A.  The all-electric driving and flying car is going on pre-sale in early 2023 for a $1500 deposit.  It's priced at $300,000 for delivery in late 2025.  The company claims that the vehicle will be the only road-certified flying car that can do vertical takeoffs and landings like a helicopter and also drive on the road.  That puts Model A in direct competition with China-based XPeng's X3 flying car.  The X3 handles like a normal car on the road and easily transitions to an eVTOL for vertical takeoffs, landings and flight.  As I reported yesterday, the X3 has j...

 XPeng X3 eVTOL Successful Test Flight                                                       Source: XPeng Unique Flying Car Technology China-based eVTOL startup XPeng has just successfully completed the 1st full test flight of its 2-ton, all-electric flying car X3 in Beijing.  The flying car contains unique aviation and automotive technologies.  It is a real flying and driving car with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.  If the EV encounters an obstacle like a river or traffic jam, it can vertically take-off, flying over the obstruction, land and then resume driving. X3 offers new possibilities in mobility.  It's the stuff that a commuting dream is made of.  It's a zero-emissions, fully electric, flying and driving car that is just about production ready. It has become one of the most promis...