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Boston-based Regent aims to reduce the cost and hassle of traveling between coastal cities and has developed a one-of-a-kind vehicle to do so.
Called a ‘seaglider,’ the all-electric flying machine combines the speed, comfort, and navigation systems of an aircraft with the convenience, maneuverability and affordability of a boat.
The hybrid craft embarks on trips from a dark at low speeds up to 45mph and when it reaches open waters, the vehicle takes off and reaches 180mph as it stays within one wingspan of the water’s surface.
The company is looking to establish specific routes between major hubs like Boston and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, or shorter paths like New York City to the Hamptons or routes connecting the islands of Hawaii.
Regent has received $450 million in provisional orders from operators across the globe and plans to start transporting passenger along coastal routes by 2050.
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Boston-based Regent aims to reduce the cost and hassle of traveling between coastal cities and has developed a one-of-a-kind vehicle to do so. Called a ‘seaglider,’ the all-electric flying machine combines the speed, comfort, and navigation systems of an aircraft with the convenience, maneuverability and affordability of a boat
The half plane, half boat vehicle is similar to a hovercraft that flies on a dynamic air cushion created by the pressurized air between the wings and the water.
‘Our seaglider flies a few meters above the water and replaces ferries and short-haul aircraft on coastal routes,’ Regent shared in a statement.
‘This maritime environment allows us to halve the decade-long development cycle for aircraft and eVTOLs. By operating within a wingspan of the water, seagliders have double the range of electric aircraft thanks to aerodynamic and operational efficiencies.’
The firm has listed its craft can only travel up to 180 miles, which is due what is allowed by existing battery technology.
The hybrid craft embarks on trips from a dark at low speeds up to 45mph and when it reaches open waters, the vehicle takes off and reaches 180mph as it stays within one wingspan of the water’s surface
The company is looking to establish specific routes between major hubs like Boston and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, or shorter paths like New York City to the Hamptons or routes connecting the islands of Hawaii
However, Regent foresees batteries becoming more powerful in the future and says seaglider will be able to travel up to 500 miles on a single charge.
REGENT’s most recent financing round was led by Founders Fund, with participation from Dallas Mavericks owner and technology investor Mark Cuban, Y Combinator, Caffeinated Capital, Thiel Capital, Relativity Space founder Jordan Noone, and Fitbit founder James Park.
Cuban, who was the first investor in billion-dollar rocket manufacturer Relativity Space, said, ‘The efficiency of coastal transportation will be 100x greater with REGENT. There is no other way to describe it. The idea of having to get between 2 coastal points is always stress inducing. Regent changes all that and makes it fast and easy. REGENT will give people a step-change improvement in transportation. Passengers will spend less time in transit and more time with their families.’
The company is working with existing harbor infrastructures to release fleets of seagliders worldwide. However, he also recognizes on challenged – a lack of charging stations at docking areas
The seaglider falls into the category of a Wing in Ground Effect craft, or WIGs, which is only regulated by the US Coast Guard
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, WIGs refer to ‘as a vessel capable of operating completely above the surface of the water on a dynamic air cushion created by aerodynamic lift due to the ground effect between the vessel and the water’s surface’
The seaglider falls into the category of a Wing in Ground Effect craft, or WIGs, which is only regulated by the US Coast Guard.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, WIGs refer to ‘as a vessel capable of operating completely above the surface of the water on a dynamic air cushion created by aerodynamic lift due to the ground effect between the vessel and the water’s surface.’
CEO Billy Thalheimer told CNBC that he is working with existing harbor infrastructures to release fleets of seagliders worldwide.
However, he also recognizes on challenged – a lack of charging stations at docking areas.
‘We’re going to be flying a quarter-scale prototype by the end of this year,’ said Thalheimer. ‘The prototype will have about a 15-foot wingspan, and will weigh about 400 pounds. We need to make sure it works in representative operational environments, like in waves and different weather.’
Thalheimer told CNBC that Regent is eyeing Boston for its first transport, but is still looking at other places along New England to test seagliders in harsh environments – this US region can have some of the worst winters in the nation.
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