Jetsons-like “flying cars” may eventually become a reality!

RAF100STEAM
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

Flying cars

Last April, German company Lilium Aviation experienced a successful concept flight of its full-scale model flying car. Now, the company behind this vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) machine is working on building out the business with cutting edge jets. The goal is to bring fast and affordable urban transportation to everyone.

The aircrafts would take off and land from pads throughout urban areas from which passengers can hail and then ride. Think of it like a helipad for helicopters. The difference is that VTOL jets use propulsion to take off and land, so the idea is that it should be much quieter than a helicopter.

Lilium has brought in two executives to help make its on-demand air taxis a reality by 2025. They will focus on scaling the company, as it gets ready to explore successful commercial applications for its VTOL aircrafts and on-demand air taxis.

Making air taxis a reality

The first is Remo Gerber, employed to be Lilium’s chief commercial officer. Gerber, who has extensive experience in physics, previously headed up ride-hail company Gett’s Western European arm. Gerber’s background fits with Lilium’s long haul plan of working with partners to become the flying version of Uber and create an on-demand network of VTOL jets. Since the company is only two years old and has yet to staff up its executive ranks, in true start-up style, Gerber will also be wearing the CFO/COO hat to manage both finances and investor relations.

While Lilium will be turning to partners to commercialize its flying cars, it plans to produce its aircraft in-house.

This brings us to Dirk Gebser, who will serve as VP of production. He previously worked as VP of assembly for two Airbus models and is a former director of manufacturing engineering at Rolls-Royce. He is joining as vice president of production as the company strives to meet its 2019 deadline of launching its first crewed flight.

Ready to revolutionise transportation

Lilium is undoubtedly not the only company on the market with ambitions for a flying car service. It is competing against the likes of Larry Page, who are backed by Kitty Hawk and Uber. Lilium, however, has the distinct advantage of a proven business concept and $11.4 million raised from VC firms Atomico and e42 Ventures.

Meanwhile, Uber has presented its own flying-car ambitions, which involve developing the on-demand platform that these jets will use. The company hopes to demonstrate the abilities of its flying cars in Texas and Dubai by 2020.

As more and more new modes of transportation come to market, we can hope to see a great deal of progress in the field of flying cars.

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