Flying Car News, June 16
Surefly Hybrid VTOL FAA Certification, Verity Studios’ $18M series A, and more!
This week’s top Flying Car News: Surefly Hybrid VTOL FAA certification, Verity Studios’ $18M series A, GE launches AirXOS, Astro Aerospace partners with Paterson Composites, and more!
Flying cars will be a significant part of the future of transportation. Recent advancements in drone technology, electric VTOL aircraft, and autonomous systems have paved the way for an aerial transportation revolution. We created the Udacity Flying Car News Series, to ensure you stay up-to-date on all the latest Flying Car and Autonomous Aircraft stories!
Surefly Hybrid VTOL FAA Certification
On June 6 the Workhorse Group announced that the FAA accepted their application for Type Certification for their Surefly Hybrid VTOL aircraft called the Workhorse
“We feel that their (the FAA) acceptance of our Type Certification application represents a vote of confidence in our team, our product, and the future of electric vertical take and landing aircraft here in the United States.”
Verity Studios’ $18M Series A
Verity Studios has raised $18 Million in series A funding to grow their business of performing artistic drone shows at live events. Founder Raffaello D’Andrea, who founded Kiva Systems and is an instructor for the Udacity Flying Car Nanodegree Program, is planning on accelerating Verity’s growth and operations.
“In the four years since its inception, the company’s autonomous drone swarms have been used by entertainment providers such as Cirque du Soleil, Madison Square Garden, Princess Cruises, and even renowned rock band, Metallica.”
GE Launches Airxos
GE announced the launch of a subsidiary company Airxos, which will focus on UAS traffic management, and which as already partnered with multiple cities and companies to help develop autonomous drone technology through the DOT UAS IPP program.
“GE already has been using drones and drone technology for some time, what AiRXOS offers is the infrastructure and advanced operations necessary to unlock the emerging markets of autonomous flight.” — Kenneth Stewart, General Manager, Axios
Astro Aerospace Partners with Paterson Composites
Paterson Composites has partnered with Astro Aerospace to develop their autonomous passenger drone.
“The fully-functional prototype includes VTOL capabilities and hosts 16 individual rotors to maximize safety and performance.”
Jetoptera and UAventure Test Autopilot
Jetoptera and UAventure have successfully tested the autopilot for their prototype autonomous VTOL aircraft which includes a unique airframe and propulsion system, called AirRails and FPS respectively.
“Recently, Jetoptera, Inc. exhibited its proprietary Fluidic Propulsion System (FPS™) in flight. Instead of using the dominant rotary aircraft solutions offered by most, Jetoptera introduced a combination of thrust augmentation and power-lift solution using the FPS™”
If you are interested in joining the pioneering generation of engineers who will build the smart transportation systems of the future, discover Udacity’s Flying Car Nanodegree Program today!
And stay tuned for more Flying Car News!
