{"id":11167,"date":"2016-10-27T17:06:02","date_gmt":"2016-10-28T00:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=11167"},"modified":"2016-10-27T17:06:02","modified_gmt":"2016-10-28T00:06:02","slug":"larry-pages-flying-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/larry-pages-flying-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Larry Page\u2019s Flying Car(s)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A3 backed by Airbus, EHang 184 from China, and Zee from Larry Page (head of Google) – Silicon Valley seems an unlikely source of aeronautical breakthroughs, but several entrepreneurial outings from Airbus, Chinese startups, and Zee.Aero, led by a secretive Larry Page, have interest growing.\u00a0 A pair of recent flights by Zee\u2019s craft in Hollister, California<\/a> have generated coverage \u2013 and speculation.<\/p>\n

Larry Page’s Two Companies<\/h4>\n

It turns out Page has a second company, Kitty Hawk, taking yet another path toward electrified flying cars with something like a large quadcopter \u2013 not unlike the eHang 184.\u00a0 Neither Zee.Aero nor Kitty Hawk is affiliated with Google, both funded out of Page\u2019s largesse.\u00a0 One theory is that his two companies, the first started by noted aerodynamicist Ilan Kroo and the second headed by Sebastian Thrun, will engage in a friendly competition to create the best device for future development.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KMxAQAlyC7A<\/p>\n

Sharing these videos and pictures with friends has resulted in varying degrees of problems in identifying the craft as the vehicle shown in Zee\u2019s patent drawings.\u00a0 Mary Grady of AVweb<\/em> reports \u201cThe aircraft, seen in photos published online by the Monterey Herald<\/em>, appears to be based on a Tecnam fuselage, with an array of small propellers mounted on booms in front of and behind the wing, and a pusher prop mounted beneath the tail. A knowledgeable source who spoke to\u00a0AVweb<\/em>\u00a0today on condition of anonymity confirmed that the aircraft in the photos is Zee.Aero’s latest model.<\/p>\n

\"Artist's

Artist’s concept of Zee.Aero aircraft, based apparently on patent drawings. Actual craft in Hollister has fuller depth to fuselage<\/p><\/div>\n

The compression that comes from long telephoto lens shots of the machine makes positive analysis of features on the craft difficult. \u00a0Certainly, the fuller depth of the fuselage looks like the Tecnam fuselage (also used on NASA’s X-57 test vehicle). \u00a0Eyewitness accounts, though, emphasize the quietness of the machine during its two brief hovers.\u00a0 That is one of the requirements for finding acceptance in neighborhood airparks.<\/p>\n

With Oliver Garrow having also made test flights with his Elytron test bed at Hollister<\/a>, the site may become the Skunkworks for future urban aerial transport.\u00a0 We hope to see the fruition of many talented efforts coming our way soon.<\/p>\n

A Brief History with one Bullish Accomplishment<\/h4>\n

Zee personnel have already set one record for personal flight, although not one the average commuter will embrace enthusiastically. \u00a0The team’s 2013 Red Bull Flugtag entry did set a record for distance, but probably did not get the team invited to Dancing with the Stars<\/em>.<\/p>\n