For the First Time in Asian History, Chennai Based Vinata Aeromobility Could Develop Asia’s First Flying Car and it was scheduled to be Launched at London High-Tech Exhibition-Excel in 2021. Vinata was Planning to Commercially Launch this Flying Car by 2025 in India. As on 2023, There were several startups in the country working on Flying Cars; however, Vinata was the early entrant and early market planner with Commercial Hybrid Flying Car. In near future, India could see another innovation in transportation or daily commute with these kinds of commercial successes. This Specific Case study describes the efforts of Vinata Aeromobility, Product Features, its Purpose and Usage, and the Human Capital They are Having.
Product Specifications: This specific flying car (empty) weights 1100 kgs; and take-off weight could be 1300 kgs. It can carry two passengers and can give front 360 degree panoramic view. Its speed ranges from 100 kms to 120 kms; and can fly at a height of 3,000 feet. It appears like a Car on drone; with quad-copter. It runs on Electric Battery; and on road it can be powered with bio-fuels. This specific flying car provides hassle-free mobility, entertainment on board, luxurious feel, GPS enablement, and better external views. It has flight time of 60 minutes duration. The product provides AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabled digital instrumental panels useful for both flying and driving; and the experience would be more engaging. It has the capacity to vertically take-off and land. It provides safety features for passengers such as in-Cabin Parachute and Airbags for on-road safety. It has multiple Motors and Propellers. It has also got digital touch screen facility for operations.
Project Inception & Funding: Vinata Aeromobility started this project in 2019. By 2021, they could present the prototype. By 2023, they want to develop full scale product; By 2025, they would like to run the commercial flights.Project Initial funding was from Vinata’s Founder & CEO Yogesh Ramanadhan’s family sources. Later on,Vinata Could get seed stage finding from Mohan Paroha having experience in IT, Management, FinTech, Real Estate, and Other Businesses in India and Europe. The flying car product is made of light-weight high strength-carbon fiber using both automobile and aerospace technologies. It uses both Bio-fuels and Electricity to run. It comprises Distributed Electric Propulsion.
Purpose & Usage: Vinata has presentedprototype model of theflying car to Civil Aviation Minister in September 2021. On that Occasion, Indian Civil Aviation Minister said “Once this takes off, flying cars would be used for transporting people & cargo, as well as providing medical emergency services”.
Human Capital & The Team: Vinata has got a team of 15 experienced engineers and scientists having multiple domain expertise.On its research side, has former ISRO scientists and US Airforce Retired personnel working on the project.
Other Global Players in The Market: The scenario in US and Europe was Boeing and Airbus Joined together to make this Flying Car commercially operational soon in Japan. Another experienced Aircraft engine maker, Lockheed Martin and Autonomous Car maker Uber are also taking initiatives in the flying car projects.
These kinds of projects, if successful, will make the flying car reality in Asian Region. As we could hear American and European Players may make it reality very soon in Japan. The early entrants could gain the market share provided they develop safe, durable and robust product. As this kind of flying Car is affordable at a price range of Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore to Indian consumers. Hope soon we see the innovation in Urban Mobility; there is still lot of work to be done practically feasible and regulatory aspects such as traffic, routing, congestion and setting up of needed in-air and on-road infrastructure; requires lot of things; and there is lot of scope for research and innovation, potential for entrepreneurship, and grabbing the market.
If this becomes successful, as we have got the mobile industry as a disruptive industry in 2000-2010 decade; flying car may become another disruptive industry during by 2025-2035. Another input is developments in material science, design, and engineering, innovative approaches in product making are reducing the product manufacturing costs. However, when quality is needed we need to invest more on research, more on experimenting, and also we need to invest more effort and time in developing a safety product.
All the best……. Hope I have Created the Flying Experience………
Best Wishes,
Dr.Goparaju Purna Sudhakar, PhD, PMP
(https://learningandwinning.com)
References:
- Ani (2021), “Vinata Aeromobility All Set to Reveal Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Car”, ANI News, August 15, 2021.
- Khanna, M. (2021), “Chennai Startup has built Asia’s First Made in India Flying Car at 120 Kmph Speed”, indiatimes.com, September 21, 2021.
- Sidharth, MP (2021), “Vinata Aeromobility Hopes to Perform Flying Car Trial by 2023, Flights by 2025, Says CEO”, DNA India, September 22, 2021.
- HT AutoDesk (2021), “Indian Firm Unveils Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Car at Major World Expo”, Hindustan Times, October 06, 2021.
- Nag, D. (2021), “India Likely to Launch Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Car; Here’s All You Want to Know”, Financial Express, September 22, 2021.
- Kumar, R.P. (2021), “Fly Your Way to Office: India to Soon Introduce Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Cars”, The Mint, September 20, 2021.
- https://www.vinataeromobility.com/