World's first flying car costing Rs 2.5 crore takes to the skies | WATCH

In what feels like a scene straight out of 'Harry Potter', a flying car has officially taken flight in California. Alef Aeronautics, a US-based company specialising in sustainable mobility, has successfully completed a groundbreaking urban test flight of its innovative flying car.The video footage of this jaw-dropping event showcases a vehicle that seamlessly transitions from driving on the road to soaring through the sky.

The first-ever urban test flight

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, Alef Aeronautics is on a mission to develop road-legal flying cars with vertical takeoff and forward flight capabilities. Unlike previous flight tests that required runways or tethered assistance, this recent test marked a historic first: a flying car driving down a California road before lifting off vertically and gliding over another vehicle.

According to the company, the test was carried out with strict safety precautions.

"The company conducted the test with strict safety measures, ensuring the road was closed, no people were present near the flight path, and all necessary safety personnel and equipment were in place," an official statement confirmed.

The test was completed without any safety incidents, proving the viability of Alef’s design.

Meet the Model Zero and Model A

Alef’s current prototype, the Model Zero, serves as a research and development platform for its first consumer-ready vehicle, the Model A. The Model A is designed as a fully drivable flying car with Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities, all while fitting within existing urban infrastructure. It boasts a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles.

To ensure a safe and stable experience, the vehicle comes equipped with:

• A gimbaled cabin and elevon system for balance in both driving and flight modes.
• Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) for enhanced efficiency.
• Multiple redundancies in key components.
• Real-time diagnostics and obstacle detection.
• Glide landing capabilities and a full-vehicle ballistic parachute for added security.

FAA-approved and ready for pre-orders

In a major milestone, Alef Aeronautics received a special airworthiness certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2023. This made it the first vertical takeoff car to gain flight approval in the United States, giving the company a huge boost in credibility.

Since 2015, Alef has been developing its flying car with cutting-edge hardware, advanced software, and ultra-light yet durable materials. Extensive flight testing has played a key role in refining the vehicle’s design and performance.

The excitement around the Model A is already sky-high—media reports reveal that the electric flying car has secured an impressive 3,300 pre-orders! The first commercial model is currently available for pre-order at a price of $300,000 (Rs 2,59,94,775), making it a dream machine for early adopters and tech enthusiasts.