Because they're not going to sell a ton of units. Economics of scale work against them. They need to at least break even, and not just on the parts and labour for the unit (which are already higher than they would be on a higher volume product all on their own) but also on the r&d, post-sale support and warranties, administration, etc.
That's a great explanation for why it costs that much, but not for why they think it's a good idea to sell it for that price.
Other companies first build a prototype and gather investment so that they can build a first 1000 (not 60) units and can reach a price that can be attractive for the market. Or build first a niche, super exclusive product so that the lack of economies of scale doesn't matter as much.
In here I just can't see the value proposition really. For half the price I can buy something like a Renault Twizy or Citroen Ami with similar size, twice the speed, twice the range, and still zero emissions. Plus I don't have to pedal, and I get a radio. Why would I ever want this?
Entrepreneurial ego plays a part I think. Unless they already found 60 people that want them for this price.
Developing an agile enough process and factory to make things like this might be an interesting business model. Probably way Too low profit to attract investors though.
Our mission is to make the skies available for everyone with our safe personal electric aerial vehicle.
NO. PLEASE DON'T.
I don't trust people in vehicles that are grounded to the road and don't have propellers 360 around them. There's no way in hell I want to see these anywhere near public spaces.
But they are cool. No doubt about that. Keep these in Dakar or the Mojave Desert.
On the other hand thinking about all the vehicle traffic being electric flying vehicles and being able to walk/bike/breathe outside without worried about being squished. Being able to use all those roads for real vehicles.
Somehow, the idea of amateur pilots doesnt fit well with giant carbon fibre propellers directly inline with the human. This thing seems like an absolute deathtrap.
I wonder if something like AI pilot lanes would work if network connection fails it uses LIDAR to auto land like drones. Wouldn't work over cities though.
I have a camera drone, and they've become so easy to fly. They're super stable. I can imagine that flying in a human-sized one must be really fun. I've been in helicopters a ton of times, and they seem so complicated to fly. This would be a world of difference.
Even then I see a lot of problems, and at least 3 of them are cost. I could maybe see a step down (more of a slowfall type thing negating body weight and using jumping) but even then I don't see that working well where all the land is owned (also: wires, momentum), and electric paragliding might be the more realistic today option (that probably isn't all that practical either).
Sticking to the ground just makes more sense, heck for the brief moment when I had my legs not-fully-out-of-shape from riding my geared 250w ebike regularly (and after recovering from a 22 mile trip) I was wondering if a motor is even (fully) needed (assuming I could get a tri-fold knockoff or used minivelo for cheap for less weight... and possibly slightly smaller though my ebike is already 20" wheels thus a similar size category). And note I do have health issues (I still might want an ebike on a hot and sunny day, assuming a lighter bike is not a massive difference)
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