THE hype is growing around high-flying cars as transportation experts continue to search for new modes of efficient human travel.
Doron Merdinger, CEO of Doroni Aerospace, exclusively spoke to The U.S. Sun about his company's exciting onramp to passenger use - but he warned that other countries might take to the skies first.
Doroni Aerospace is making significant strides in the race to bring personal electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or EVTOL, to the consumer market.
The company has been working on the project for eight years, evolving from a garage project to a legitimate player in the aerospace industry.
Doroni's initial project vehicle, called the H1-X, features propeller-style motors.
They ascend and descend like helicopters before entering a pre-mapped corridor.
"They are cars that are created with wings," Merdinger told The U.S. Sun.
"But this vehicle is totally different. It takes off from the spot; it doesn’t need a runway."
The vehicles are powered by batteries mounted in the back. After plugging into electric vehicle chargers, they can take off from a flat surface, like a driveway.
The H1-X features a flying range of 60 miles with a top speed of 120 mph.
The two-seater personal planes can carry a payload of up to 500 pounds.
With over 500 preorders on the $400,000 product and an FAA-certified model, Merdinger believes his company is well-positioned to capitalize on the upcoming world of personal aviation.
But even as he receives regulatory approval from federal officials, Merdinger warns that a heavy-handed approach could stifle innovation.
"For good and for bad, the US is behind the rest of the world. Definitely behind China," he said.
While the government attempts to balance obvious safety concerns, he said that the environmental impact of more cars must be considered.
"The future is here," he told The U.S. Sun.
"The whole idea is we want to minimize the destruction of our ecosystem. Every time you build another road, you destroy the natural habitat. So why do we need to do that if the roads are already in the sky? These are called corridors."
Merdinger said vehicle technology is getting too long in the tooth.
Paved roads and car driving, which Merdinger calls "two-dimensional," have existed for over 100 years.
He also said drivers are missing out on the beauty of the sky.
"The best videos shot today are shot by drones," he said.
"You can see everything around you [in the car]. You can enjoy nature that you cannot enjoy in another way."
Still, Merdinger praised the FAA's efforts to bring similar products to market.
He also said he is excited about state-level policy that has started to grapple with the new technology.
Minnesota just passed a so-called Jetsons law that allows drivers to own flying vehicles and replaces license plates with tail numbers.
The state joined New Hampshire as the only other US state with flying vehicle regulations on the books.
Drivers, start your engines and take to the skies.
Minnesota passed regulations that clear the runway for "roadable aircrafts."
The regulations imagine a world where vehicles can fly, cutting down on traffic congestion and time spent in cars.
Drivers can grab a tail number instead of a license plate with the cars.
They must follow rules on Minnesota's roads and take off from regulated spaces unless there is an emergency.
But as lawmakers imagine the machinations of a hybrid driving and flying world, companies have yet to invest billions in the tech.
Even with the updated policies, Merdinger says other private company dominoes are set to fall in the market.
Merdinger predicted that larger taxi-ing companies - like Joby and Archer - will have fully adopted technology in the sky by 2026.
"We see them as the leading horses, and we are just behind them," he said.
"Once they get certified, and they're almost there, that opens the door for the lower levels of certification, like a two-seater roadster like what we do."
