This Week in Startups

The Alef Model A and the future of flying cars with Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny | E1929

4 snips
Apr 11, 2024
Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics, talks about revolutionizing urban transport with flying cars. He delves into Alef's unique design approach, utilizing existing technologies for innovative vehicle formats. The conversation touches on the technical challenges of creating dual-purpose vehicles, safety measures like ballistic parachutes, and the excitement surrounding customer pre-orders. Dukhovny also discusses the regulatory landscape and how adapting to these challenges is key for the future of affordable flying cars.
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INSIGHT

eVTOL Limitations

  • eVTOLs are impressive for short-range aviation but face infrastructure and cost challenges.
  • They require numerous heliports and those costs will ultimately burden consumers.
INSIGHT

Alef's Design Approach

  • Alef's vehicle design utilizes existing technologies in a novel way.
  • It combines aspects of cars, rotorcraft, and biplanes, leveraging software for complex transitions.
ANECDOTE

The 90-Degree Turn

  • Alef's car turns 90 degrees mid-flight, becoming a biplane to achieve stable flight.
  • This innovative design addresses the limitations of traditional car shapes for aeronautics.
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