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💫 Let's Fly Away

💫 Let's Fly Away

Something's afoot...

Riley Rosebee
January 05, 2025

Hello everyone! I am so grateful to experience life at such an exciting time.

Today, I’m thrilled to launch a new publication centered on the future of transportation. We’ll explore eVTOLs, advanced propulsion technology, hypersonic jets, bullet trains, delivery drones, autonomous cars, space tourism and more.

I’m not going to act like I’m a transit expert. I stalk charts, follow price and feverishly chase my curiosity. I have 0 formal educational experience in urban development, mechanical engineering or anything that may be “considered essential” to understanding the deep complexities of what’s occurring. My approach to this publication is to produce an open-source educational experience. I hope you enjoy the journey.

Ok, that’s enough - let’s get to the good stuff…

Where’s The Flying Cars…?

I want us to reflect on the past before we look into the future. Here’s a timeline of former “behavior-changing” transportation innovations. h/t Chat.

Transportation Innovation Timeline

1769: Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot invents the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle, an early steam-powered automobile.

1863: Opening of the London Underground, the world's first subway system.

1886: Karl Benz builds the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first modern automobile.

1903: The Wright brothers achieve the first successful powered flight, paving the way for air travel.

1913: Henry Ford introduces the moving assembly line, revolutionizing automobile manufacturing and making cars affordable for the masses.

1936: Toyota produces its first passenger car, the Toyota AA, marking the rise of Japanese automakers.

1947: Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier, the first successful flight of a supersonic jet (Bell X-1).

1955: Launch of the Shinkansen (bullet train) project in Japan, culminating in the first high-speed rail service in 1964.

1962: The Jetsons aired on TV.

1964: Ford introduces the Mustang, a car that symbolizes a new era of affordable performance vehicles.

1969: Introduction of the Boeing 747, revolutionizing long-distance air travel and making it accessible to the masses.

1976: Concorde begins commercial flights as the first supersonic passenger jet, reducing transatlantic flight times.

1989: The first practical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones are deployed for military use, setting the foundation for modern drones.

1997: Toyota releases the Prius, the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, setting the stage for sustainable car technology.

2006: DJI, a leading drone manufacturer, is founded, accelerating advancements in consumer and commercial drones.

2013: Amazon announces plans for Prime Air, a drone delivery service, bringing drone-based logistics into the public eye.

2016: Zipline launches the first national drone delivery service in Rwanda, delivering medical supplies to remote areas.

2018: Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet, begins testing commercial drone deliveries in Australia.

2020: Walmart and Zipline partner to launch drone delivery trials in the United States, marking a major step in integrating drones into everyday logistics.

2021: Introduction of autonomous vehicle fleets by companies like Waymo and Tesla, signaling the future of self-driving technology.

2022: Boom Supersonic unveils Overture, a next-generation supersonic passenger jet designed for sustainable high-speed travel.

January 2023: Skyports Drone Services announces a major hiring initiative for global expansion.

October 2023: Amazon announces plans to start drone deliveries in the United Kingdom and Italy in 2024.

December 2023: Zipline partners to deliver to 30 GP surgeries and nursing homes across Northumbria, UK.

January 2024: Walmart expands its drone delivery services to 1.8 million more homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

April 2024: Zipline reaches a milestone of over 1 million deliveries, with over 70 million autonomous miles flown.

September 2024: Wing releases a report highlighting key advancements in autonomous delivery systems.

November 2024: Amazon commences drone delivery operations in the Phoenix West Valley, offering access to 50,000+ products.

These innovations permanently altered our daily lives - forever changing behavior patterns.

The impact of what’s next is entirely unknown. We’ve entered a new era. Are you ready…?

Where’s Our Flying Cars?

Ever since The Jetsons premiered on September 23, 1962, we’ve collectively fantasized about flying cars. That day has yet to arrive, but something’s afoot. Something big…

Today, 3 publicly traded eVTOL manufacturers grant access for anyone to participate in this trend.

The charts tell the story…

I created an eVTOL composite chart featuring Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation and EHang Holdings. Notice the massive increase in volume displayed on the lower pane.