From Sci-Fi Dream to Startup Reality

Flying cars have been a sci-fi dream for over a century, but now they’re closer than ever. In the 1890s, inventor Hiram Maxim imagined a bird-like vehicle that could both drive and fly. More than 100 years later, that idea is being brought to life by Alef Aeronautics, a California startup turning futuristic sketches into real machines. Their founders first dreamed up the idea in 2015, inspired by the Back to the Future movie, and committed to three bold goals: the car must drive on roads, run on electricity, and take off vertically.

That vision became the Model A, now in early production at Alef’s San Mateo facility. The car uses ultra-light materials like carbon fiber, multiple electric motors, and propellers that allow it to lift straight up with no runway needed. While it can only drive about as fast as a neighborhood speed limit, it can fly at highway speeds in the air. Even with over 3,500 preorders at $300,000 each, the company still faces major hurdles, including approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before everyday people can use flying cars. It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t just about cool ideas. It’s also about safety, rules, and persistence.

Your Task:
Imagine you’re part of a startup working on a futuristic technology.
1. Identify one major challenge Alef Aeronautics had to solve (engineering, safety, regulations, cost, public trust).
2. Explain why that challenge matters for turning a bold idea into a real product.
3. What’s one future technology you’d love to invent and what challenge would your team need to overcome first?