Futuristic films and animations frequently portray airborne vehicles, such as the flying family car from the beloved animated series, “The Jetsons.” Regrettably, the present-day passenger vehicles remain firmly on the ground. However, a company named Jetson has introduced a new aerial vehicle, referred to as the Jetson One. Formally classified as an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicle, or eVTOL, this is a single-person flying device that resembles a larger drone.
Constructed with an aluminum and carbon fiber frame, the Jetson One operates with eight electric motors that rotate eight propellers to maintain flight. A built-in flight computer reportedly simplifies the flying experience, with altitude and direction controls conveniently situated within the flight stick. It has a weight of 235 pounds, batteries included, and can support a pilot weighing up to 210 pounds. Its maximum speed reaches 63 miles per hour, with a ceiling height of 1,500 feet, indicating the upper limit of its safe altitude. Unexpectedly, no pilot’s license is necessary for operation.
In video footage showcasing the Jetson One in motion, a group of four vehicles dart through the skies, demonstrating its distinctive racing inspirations — Jetson characterizes it as a Formula One racer of the air. The average flight duration is around 20 minutes, suggesting it may not be suitable for lengthy commutes just yet. The current listing price stands at $128,000, with initial shipments projected for 2028. In comparison, Jetoptera’s VTOL flying car aims to achieve Mach 1 via a fluidic propulsion mechanism, though it is not yet available for purchase.
Has anyone acquired the Jetson One?
As stated by Jetson, more than 500 orders have been placed for its new eVTOL, and one client has already received their vehicle: Palmer Luckey. He is recognized as the co-founder of Oculus. He is also the initial owner of a Jetson One, regarded as a “historic milestone,” according to the company. Jetson delivered it to a site in California, where founder and CTO Tomasz Patan assisted Luckey in its setup along with CEO Stephan D’haene. Reportedly, Luckey required only 50 minutes of ground training before taking control for his inaugural flight.
“Launching our first Jetson ONE with Palmer Luckey, a visionary who has transformed both consumer and defense technology, establishes the context for what Jetson signifies: innovation, freedom, and the future of transportation,” stated D’haene. This bodes well for the future of transportation, and it will be fascinating to observe the evolution of this technology. Although it is the first to launch commercially, the Jetson One is not the sole flying car generating buzz. Alef unveiled an extraordinary flying car that might soon enter production, and let’s not forget the minivan-style Luft Pinoy EV-meets-eVTOL system.
