Google co-founder’s flying car startup is winding down – Digital Tech Blog

Google co-founder Larry Page’s flying car startup Kittyhawk is winding down, the company announced Wednesday.

“We’re still working out the details of what’s next,” the company wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Kittyhawk was founded as Zee.Aero in 2010, when Page hired Sebastian Thrun, who had worked on self-driving cars and other experimental projects at Google, to create electric planes with vertical takeoff and landing. The company unveiled a demonstration video of a flying car in 2017, and Tran said he envisions a time when people will be able to hail flying cars through an app like Lyft or Uber.

Kittyhawk showed off a flying car model called the Flyer in 2018, which can hold one person and fly up to 20 miles. Tran told CNBC in an interview earlier that year that the models could skyrocket within five years. The company announced a strategic partnership with aircraft manufacturer Boeing next year.

However, by 2020 Kittyhawk has announced plans to shut down its Flyer program and shift its focus to its electric aircraft, called the Heaviside, according to reports.

Today’s announcement will not affect the partnership with Boeing, a spokesperson told CNBC.

“Kitty Hawk’s decision to cease operations does not change Boeing’s commitment to Wisk. We are proud to be a founding member of Wisk Aero and excited to see the work they are doing to drive innovation and sustainability in the future of electric air transport. do not expect Kitty Hawk’s announcement to affect Wisk’s operations or other activities in any way.”