From: mk_thisisit
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an evolving concept aimed at transforming transportation within and around cities using advanced air vehicles. A key innovation in this field is the Jetson ONE, a single-person ultra-light personal flying vehicle [00:01:11]. The creators envision the Jetson ONE becoming the “Tesla of flying vehicles” [00:00:24].
The Jetson ONE Personal Flying Vehicle
The Jetson ONE is described as the world’s first ultra-fast personal flying vehicle [00:00:53], often referred to as a “flying car” despite lacking wheels [00:02:04]. It is explicitly not an unmanned drone, as it is designed for a single occupant [00:02:27].
Design and Specifications
The main assumptions for the Jetson ONE’s design were simplicity, compactness, and ultra-light weight [00:03:11].
- Weight: The vehicle weighs only 40 kg without batteries and about 90 kg with batteries [00:03:18].
- Speed: It can reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h, which is regulated for ultra-light vehicles [00:03:27].
- Flight Time & Range: The flight time is approximately 20 minutes, allowing a straight-line flight of about 30 km [00:04:16].
- Control: Flying the device is intuitive, with an on-board computer making control very simple [00:03:53]. Training takes only a few minutes [00:04:06].
- Take-off and Landing: It is an electric vehicle with vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) capabilities, able to take off stably from a space of 5 square meters [00:05:34].
Safety Features
Safety is a primary concern for the Jetson ONE [00:29:02].
- Structure: The vehicle features a whole frame, a safety cage inspired by racing cars, and a four-point seatbelt system [00:29:22].
- Systems: It has a triple-cloned on-board computer system, meaning three identical systems control the flight for redundancy [00:29:41].
- Propulsion: With eight propellers and eight engines, the vehicle can continue to fly even if one, or in some cases two, engines are lost [00:29:52].
- Automation: A large layer of software allows the vehicle to hover autonomously, regardless of wind conditions, and prevents pilot error through sensors [00:30:06].
- Emergency: A ballistic parachute system will be installed [00:28:58].
Key Milestones and Regulations
The development of the Jetson ONE has involved significant regulatory and certification milestones, particularly in Italy and the United States.
Certification and Pilot Training
The most recent milestone is the certification in Italy, the first of its kind in the world [00:06:21]. This certification enables ultra-light flying vehicles like the Jetson ONE to fly in uncontrolled airspace (outside airports and large cities) [00:06:30]. Pilots can now move in Italy after short training [00:06:43].
The company plans to establish the world’s first school for pilots of flying vehicles [00:35:32]. Unlike traditional pilot licenses (PPL), which can take a year and significant cost, Jetson ONE training is expected to be two or three days [00:08:02].
Remote-Controlled Flights
Another significant development is the ability to perform remote-controlled flights, which allows for testing and development without unnecessary risk to a human test pilot [00:06:50]. This capability greatly aids in setting flight parameters and developing next versions [00:07:03].
International Regulations
In the United States, the Jetson ONE generally does not require any pilot license to fly under Part 103 ultralight regulations [00:08:43]. Poland also uses similar regulations, theoretically allowing Jetson ONE flights after training under the UL 115 class [00:10:25]. Europe, however, has been more challenging, but the recent Italian certification is a vital first step towards wider European adoption [00:08:58].
Vision and Market Impact
The primary application for the Jetson ONE is recreational fun [00:04:55]. However, other interesting applications are being explored:
- Rescue services [00:05:04]
- Border police [00:05:07]
- Military applications where quick deployment is critical [00:05:11]
The vision for UAM is to transfer road traffic into the air, creating quieter cities without exhaust fumes and ground traffic [00:33:24]. This future, often seen in science fiction films like Back to the Future [00:33:54], is the company’s long-term goal [00:33:48].
There is a parallel to the early days of the automobile, where initial reluctance gave way to widespread adoption once infrastructure like roads and gas stations developed [00:31:16]. The significant investment in eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles indicates a huge emerging market [00:31:51].
The company has identified a niche by focusing on a one-person device, which allows them to offer it now, bypassing the complex regulations that hinder multi-passenger “flying taxi” projects [00:32:41]. This allows them to use and develop the technology while regulations catch up [00:33:14].
Entrepreneurial Journey and Challenges and Milestones in Building a Flying Vehicle
The Jetson ONE project began from a childhood dream of flying in self-built vehicles, inspired by films and remote-controlled models [00:11:20]. The transition from designing drones for aerial filming to considering a manned vehicle occurred when larger drones were being built to carry cameras [00:13:20].
Early Development and Funding
The initial proof-of-concept vehicle was built quickly in three weeks on a very small budget of several thousand dollars [00:15:34]. Early development faced financial hurdles, including selling a personal car to fund the project [00:17:10]. It was clear there would be only one chance to “do it right” to avoid failure [00:17:29]. The first external investor was found in the United States, which has a different attitude towards bold projects [00:19:18].
Company Location and Investment
The company chose Italy for its primary location due to its more friendly climate for year-round testing, especially compared to Poland [00:14:51]. The current facility in Tuscany was a “ruin” requiring significant investment for rebuilding [00:21:01].
The company recently closed a $15 million financial round with notable investors [00:21:16]. These funds are being used for building renovations, hiring new employees (currently around 30 people), legal matters, and preparing for production [00:22:01]. Low-series production will begin in Italy, with plans for large-scale, scalable production in the United States [00:22:46].
Team Building and Inspiration
A major challenge has been building a good team [00:23:48]. The founder emphasizes that a strong team is crucial for a good product and future development [00:24:05]. Elon Musk is a role model due to his ability to start enterprises from scratch and set ambitious goals that change the world [00:24:26].
Community Engagement and Future Outlook
The Jetson ONE project has garnered significant attention, with a premiere film achieving 10 million views in seven days and becoming viral [00:35:33]. This global response indicated a broader appeal beyond aviation fanatics, validating the vision of personal electric flight [00:36:28].
The company is focused on finalizing production and ensuring vehicle safety [00:36:46]. Future plans include exploring other areas of technology development, aiming for Jetson to become a hub for innovation like Tesla, creating beyond just flying vehicles [00:34:37].
The founder maintains that nurturing one’s inner “child” and the fascination for invention is crucial for motivation and success in such ambitious projects [00:40:48]. Europe is seen as playing it “safe” in technology development compared to the US and Asia, but Poland, with its similar aviation regulations to the US, has potential for similar projects [00:38:21]. Polish employees are noted for their self-sufficiency and “Do it yourself” approach [00:39:55].