US tests manned "flying car" capable of speeding up to 225 km

The Florida-based Doroni Aerospace company has tested a manned two-seat Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the US.

The achievement highlighted Doroni Aerospace as the "undisputed leader" in the personal eVTOL category and "represents a major milestone for the US eVTOL industry and market", The US Sun quotes the firm as saying in a statement.

According to the statement, Doroni CEO and founder Doron Merdinger took flight earlier this month.

"I am absolutely thrilled by the remarkable success of our team in completing the first-ever US-manned test flight of a personal two-seater eVTOL. It felt like floating on a cushion of air, experiencing a level of freedom and excitement that is unparalleled. This is just the beginning for us and I cannot contain my anticipation to deliver these incredible vehicles to the world. The technology we have developed is truly unlike anything else in the aerospace industry, and it is poised to revolutionize personal transportation in ways we could only dream of before," Merdinger explained.

Doroni said its eVTOL is the "commuter transportation platform of the future" and comes equipped with advanced electric motors, offering zero-emission flights and significantly contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Doroni H1 will have a fast charge time of 15-20 minutes, perfect for the daily commute. It will be capable of a cruising speed of 100 mph, with a max speed of 140 mph (225 km/h).

The current range projection is 60 miles, but as technology continues to advance Doroni expects it to increase to 100 miles by product launch.

The anticipated delivery date had previously been flagged as the fourth quarter of 2024, with an estimated price tag of £171,000 ($195,000).

Its semi-autonomous flight capabilities and integrated navigation systems "ensure safe and reliable operations, instilling confidence and comfort in passengers."

"The successful completion of the first-ever US-manned personal two-seater eVTOL test flight is a testament to the immense capabilities of the Doroni eVTOL. This achievement marks a major step forward in the development of their cutting-edge technology, bringing us closer to a new era of transportation," Doroni added.