At the end of 2021, the Swedish company Jetson communicated in a video about its flying car prototype. It is a single-seater which should be marketed in two years. Users will not need a license to drive this vehicle.
A personal electric helicopter
Among the countless taxi and other flying car projects, the Swedish start-up Jetson seems to have a card to play. In a press release dated January 17, 2022, the company claims that its flying car should appear on the market in 2023. Called ONE, this vehicle is not a flying taxi since it is a single-seater presenting itself as a “ personal electric helicopter”. But what are the characteristics of this electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft?
The Jetson ONE incorporates 3D printing of carbon fiber and other advanced components, synonymous with a very light design. Indeed, its weight is only 86 kg, which is equivalent to that of a standard size scooter. It also includes a redundant propulsion system for greater reliability as well as a ballistic parachute for pilot safety. However, the user must not weigh more than 95 kg.
The aluminum frame houses a high-discharge lithium-ion battery with a maximum power of 88 kW. On the autonomy side, the pilot will be able to fly for about twenty minutes at a maximum speed of 102 km/h. The device will also have the ability to rise to a height of up to 1,500 meters.
A flying car without a license
In addition to the features detailed above, the most amazing feature of the Jetson ONE is its ease of access for the greatest number. According to the start-up, almost everyone will be able to fly the machine as there will be no need for a license. Those responsible for the project believe that only five minutes of explanations will be enough to understand how it works.
Since the publication of its presentation video in October 2021 (see end of article), Jetson has already sold a hundred devices, the first deliveries of which should begin in 2023. Above all, the company has received no less than 3,000 requests for the purchase of a vehicle. However, the price (set at 79,000 euros) is still substantial. In parallel with production, Jetson intends to develop on a global scale and is looking for partners. If the start-up delivers its flying cars as planned, it will become the first to really invest in this promising new market.
However, despite the promises, the question of the absence of a license still raises questions. It must be said that taxis and flying cars that are presented as the future of urban mobility will require a reorganization of cities. In 2018, Uber presented its UberAir project, supported by NASA and the United States military. However, if the technology is not yet finalized, there are still many questions concerning the reception infrastructures and especially the regulations.
