“Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads” – Doc Brown, “Back to the Future”
The Detroit Auto Show today announced two leading air mobility innovators, including creators of what would have once been considered science fiction — a full-size flying car — will have an important presence and voice at the Sept. 13 – 24 event at Huntington Place in Detroit. For the second year in a row, the auto show will spotlight how personal mobility continues to move forward and even upward into the skies as part of its “Air Mobility Experience.” Videos are available here. Images are available here.
Show visitors will see product displays from AIR and Alef, two electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) groundbreakers, and hear compelling insights from them on Wednesday, Sept. 13, kickoff for Media and Technology Days and the new Mobility Global Forum. The Forum is a two-day event featuring powerful perspectives from thought leaders and CEOs in mobility, design and technology.
Highlights of what to expect this year:
- AIR from Pardes Hana, Israel, returns to the Detroit Auto Show for the second year with AIR ONE after conducting several flight tests of the full-scale model aircraft and accruing flight hours that “have proven the validity of the design,” reports the company. The sporty two-seater eVTOL, designed for consumer ownership and an everyday alternative for short distance commuting in the sky, will be on display on the main show floor through Saturday, Sept. 23. Show-goers will get the chance to experience what it’s like to “fly” in the cockpit of AIR ONE by way of an exciting virtual reality simulator utilizing the same software pilots use to train.
AIR CEO Rani Plaut will share his perspectives on “Aviation and Automotive – Closing the Gap” before Mobility Global Forum audiences on Sept. 13 from 12 – 12:45 p.m. Plaut’s presentation will take place on the Mobility Global Forum’s main show floor stage.
- Alef Aeronautics from San Mateo, Calif., comes to the Detroit Auto Show with what the startup describes as “the first and only drivable flying car with vertical take-off and landing fitting today’s road infrastructure.” The Alef “Model A” can drive on the street, take off vertically when needed and fly overhead above traffic and yet still fit in a regular-sized driving lane, parking space and garage. The flying vehicle will be on display on the main show floor throughout the run of the show.
Mobility Global Forum attendees will hear from Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics, who will discuss “Alef – The First Real Flying Car in History” on Sept. 13 from 2 – 2:45 p.m. Dukhovny’s presentation will be held at Alef’s display on the main show floor.
“Building upon the laser focus on electrification in vehicles and aircraft, it’s a natural progression for shows like ours to take a look at the expanding mobility ecosystem,” said Detroit Auto Show Chairman Thad Szott. “Our ‘Air Mobility Experience’ will again this year capture the imagination of visitors by showcasing the sky’s the limit in future mobility.”
ABOUT THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW:
The Detroit Auto Show is one of the most influential annual automotive events in the world and a showcase for emerging technologies. The iconic show features brand-defining vehicles, product ride-and-drives and dynamic experiential activations. The event includes: Media Day, an opportunity for automakers and industry suppliers to debut new products and technologies; Technology Days, a chance to preview emerging mobility technologies and engage with innovators; Mobility Global Forum, a two-day symposium on mobility trends and new technologies; AutoMobili-D, an inside look at future mobility platforms; Charity Preview, a signature fundraising gala for children’s charities; and the Public Show, a nine-day mobility and community celebration. For more information, visit naias.com.
DATES FOR THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW:
- Media Day, Wednesday, Sept. 13
- Technology Days and AutoMobili-D, Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14
- Mobility Global Forum, Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14
- Charity Preview, Friday, Sept. 15
Public Show, Saturday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 24
