Doroni Aerospace unveiled an updated design for an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle made to fit in a home garage.
Based in Pompano Beach, the company is the maker of an eVTOL designed for personal use. The idea is to bring the electric aircraft to everyday consumers who want a novel way to commute and bypass road traffic.
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Doroni's H1-X includes new features that distinguishes it from other electric aircraft on the market, said CEO Doron Merdinger. That includes a tandem wing configuration to enhance lift and efficiency, precision flight controls, and safety features such as advanced anti-collision sensors. The vehicle is compatible with standard EV charging infrastructure.
"The H1-X is not just a vehicle; it's a leap towards a future where freedom of movement and sustainability coexist," Merdinger said in a statement.
The two-seat eVTOL is made to take off vertically like a helicopter and then fly like a regular plane. With a flying range of 60 miles per trip, the vehicle is being marketed to affluent commuters who want to avoid traffic congestion.
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The H1-X, an update of Doroni's previous model the H1, is made to fit into a two-car garage. The company often refers to the aircraft as 'flying cars' because the technology makes it possible for people to transport themselves in urban environments in far less time that it would take in a regular automobile. The H1-X was redesigned to improve the eVTOL's aerodynamics and efficiency, the company reports.
Doroni Aerospace is one of several businesses in the emerging urban air mobility market, an industry that Morgan Stanley projects could be worth as much as $1 trillion by 2040. At least five different eVTOL companies have made moves to establish a presence in South Florida, with most focused on launching commercial air taxi ventures. The tri-county region's crushing highway congestion, suburban sprawl and lack of public transit infrastructure makes it a prime market for the aircraft.
In 2022, Doroni secured $3.5 million from nearly 2,000 contributors on StartEngine to fund the development of its first model, the H1. It launched another crowdfunding round on StartEngine last year, with a minimum investment of $500 required to participate. In December, it received official approval to begin outdoor testing of its electric aircraft from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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The business aims to certify its prototype as a light sport vehicle, a category of small aircraft that are simple to operate. The eVTOL will fly at an altitude of only a few hundred feet, so it will not encounter airplanes and other high altitude aircraft while in route.
Doroni Aerospace reports it has a full working prototype of the H1-X and will move into flight testing this year. It aims to deliver the vehicles to customers in 2025.
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