The SkyProwler is a fully functioning miniature prototype of the Skycruiser, a futuristic flying car-type airplane -- developed by Arizona-based startup Krossblade -- that takes off and lands like a quadcopter but transitions to faster and more efficient fixed-wing flight while in the air.
What's interesting about the SkyProwler is that it boasts four horizontal propellers that allow it to perform vertical take-offs and landings and hover in mid-air -- like a helicopter -- but does so without having to tilt its nose down to move forward.
The drone also comes with interchangeable nose cones, one of which can carry a third-party camera.
If you think you will probably never be able to afford the real deal -- the SkyCruiser -- you can console yourself by grabbing one of these SkyProwlers via Kickstarter, where Krossblade is running a campaign.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Miniature Flying Cars
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop affordable and efficient miniature flying cars for personal transportation.
- Vertical Take-off and Landing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create aircraft technology that allows for vertical take-offs and landings without the need for tilting the nose down.
- Interchangeable Nose Cones
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design aircraft with interchangeable nose cones to accommodate various functionalities such as carrying third-party cameras.
Where This Applies
- Aerospace
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the aerospace industry by developing miniature flying cars and aircraft with advanced vertical take-off and landing capabilities.
- Drone Technology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advance drone technology by incorporating vertical take-off and landing features, as well as interchangeable nose cones for added functionality.
- Consumer Electronics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine consumer electronics with aircraft technology by integrating third-party camera capabilities into miniature flying cars and drones.
