California-based air taxi start-up Kittyhawk announced on Twitter that it plans to shut down its operations. Kittyhawk was launched by Google co-founder Larry Page and senior Google executive Sebastian Thrun. Their Twitter handle read – “We have made the decision to wind down Kittyhawk. We're still working on the details of what's next.”
Since 2010, Kittyhawk was working on various different electric and autonomous aircraft models. Their latest project was Heaviside autonomous eVTOL vehicle that last year received military airworthiness approval from the US Air Force.
Kittyhawk’s decision to cease operations wouldn’t affect its commitment to Wisk Aero, a joint venture to develop a flying taxi, a Boeing spokesperson said.
“We do not expect Kittyhawk’s announcement to affect Wisk’s operations or other activities in any way,” she said.
In a statement, Wisk also confirmed that it remains in a strong financial position, with both Boeing and Kittyhawk as investors.
A few days back, Boeing and Wisk detailed a plan to get automated and uncrewed aircraft to transport passengers and cargo around the US. In January, Boeing said it was investing $450 million in Wisk.
Meanwhile, Kittyhawk claims that it has flown and made over 100 aircraft.
Experts feel that Kittyhawk’s abrupt exit from the market is due to the non-availability of enough places for the air taxis to take off and land. Some feel that making air taxis a part of the existing air traffic control could solve many problems.