Regent (YC W21) Raises $9M to Build 180MPH Flying Electric Ferry

delbalso 5 years ago |

I am excited to see how the infrastructure bill supports new electric tech like REGENT. This seems like one of the first applications of a WIG that has the potential to go mainstream and start a real paradigm shift in regional transportation. Coastal cities should be all over this!

icinnamon 5 years ago |

Everything is going electric. Aircraft, cars, boats, trains, etc.

Love seeing somebody invent an entire new vehicle. REGENT is going far beyond just strapping batteries to an existing mode of transport.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with the founders from the very early days. If anybody can pull it off, it’s Billy and Mike.

wthalheimer 5 years ago |

Hi, I’m Billy, CEO of REGENT, happy to answer any questions!

delbalso 5 years ago |

I am excited to see how the infrastructure bill can help drive adoption of electric transportation solutions like REGENT.

zeeshanqureshi 5 years ago |

Flying = Hydrofoil?

icinnamon 5 years ago | |

Check this out: http://regentcraft.com/video It actually flies, taking off after the hydrofoil kicks in.

zeeshanqureshi 5 years ago | | |

Holy shit! That's awesome and very impressive indeed.

So, is it meant to hover right above the surface and not fly at higher altitudes? And if that is the case, can some version of this be built for land too?

Sorry if these are silly questions.

mikeklinker129 5 years ago | | |

Mike (CTO@REGENT) here— we fly in ground effect, which is typically at altitudes less than 1/2 your wingspan. We fly, but low to help with aerodynamic efficiency and remain in the maritime domain.

zeeshanqureshi 5 years ago | | |

Thanks Mike. How does you seaglider deal with bad weather, sea swell etc.?

icinnamon 5 years ago | | |

These are great questions! I'll let Billy and Mike chime in, but it's meant to take advantage of WIG efficiencies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-effect_vehicle) which lets the aircraft have a much longer range and a shorter certification pathway.

zeeshanqureshi 5 years ago | | |

That is very interesting. Hope to see it in action soon.

Also I just realised what the answer to my question for 'why not on land' was, and I feel silly.