US company Alef Aeronautics has released videos of its Alef Model Zero electric flying car driving on a road in California before vertically taking off into flight.
Designed for a future where cars can fly over traffic to solve congestion issues, the prototype completed a test flight in San Mateo on Wednesday this week, hovering over a stationary vehicle on a road.
According to Alef Aeronautics, it is the “first test in history of a car drive and vertical takeoff in a city”.
Alef Aeronautics has carried out a test flight of its Alef Model Zero flying car
“This drive and flight test represents an important proof of technology in a real-world city environment,” said Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny.
“We hope it will be a moment similar to the Wright Brothers’ Kitty Hawk video, proving to humanity that new transportation is possible.”
To carry out the test flight, Alef Aeronautics used an ultra-light version of the Alef Model Zero car and closed off access to the road to ensure no people were under the flight path. Further flight tests were conducted in other locations.
The vehicle flew over stationary cars in a series of tests in California
Alef Aeronautics’ flying car is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, meaning it uses electric power to launch straight up into the air without the need for a lengthy runway, similar to a drone or helicopter.
According to the company, the vehicle can fly in all directions and is also drivable on roads as it conforms to the size of regular driving lanes. However, it is considered a “low-speed vehicle” with a maximum driving speed of 25 miles per hour.
The flying car can drive on the ground up to 25 miles per hour
Alef Model Zero appears to resemble a regular car at first glance but its mesh exterior conceals four rotors in the front and four in the rear in place of a typical engine to provide lift.
A passenger cabin is located at the centre of the car’s frame, placed on a pivoting platform known as a gimbal.
US broadcaster NBC News witnessed a test flight of the Alef Model Zero and reported it did not see a driver enter or exit the flying vehicle.
The prototype Armada Model Zero was awarded a special airworthiness certificate by the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, which permitted it to be tested in public flight demonstrations.
Since then, Alef Aeronautics claims it has reduced the weight of the flying car and enhanced its structural integrity.
A commercial iteration named Alef Model A has so far received 3,330 pre-orders, advertised at an expected price of $299,999.
Other experimental cars that have recently been featured on Dezeen include electric prototypes designed by Honda for “eyes-off” driving and a solar-powered electric car that Californian start-up Aptera claims is ready for production.
The photography and videography are courtesy of Alef Aeronautics.
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