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Kittyhawk, a flying taxi startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, is coming to an end


Google co-founder Larry Page in 2010 teamed up with self-driving car pioneer Sebastian Thrun to found Kittyhawk (originally Zee.Aero), a startup with the aim of developing machines. Fully autonomous, efficient, affordable aircraft can be used to transport passengers. through major cities in just a few minutes, instead of hours like traffic-packed routes would be traveled by car.

Despite a number of successful test flights with various prototypes over the years, Kittyhawk announced Wednesday via social media that it is decommissioning. It also said it was assessing what will happen next, suggesting that the company or perhaps its employees will have a new focus at a later date.

The main focus of the Kittyhawk is the Heaviside, a model that resembles a conventional airplane but has rotating propellers to allow vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It’s powered by electric motors to help keep noise levels low, and prototypes can hit 180 mph and 100 miles on a single charge. The company also demonstrated a prototype that can take off, fly and land autonomously.

Kittyhawk has also developed a single-seat VTOL multirole aircraft called Leaflet, with manual control. However, with a weight of just 250 lb, it is a non-licensed aircraft, which means it can be flown by anyone. However, the company abandoned plans for the Flyer in 2020.

Kittyhawk also has a pattern called Cora, similar to Heaviside. However, Cora in 2019 was transferred to a joint venture between Boeing and another startup called Wisk Aero and its development is still ongoing. A Boeing spokesperson told CNBC that Kittyhawk’s decision to decommission will not affect Wisk Aero’s operations.





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