What is it?

Drone Prototype and Platform

It's a lot of things. The hardware prototype, Winging It 1, is what is above my car. As you may have noticed, it's a fixed wing aircraft unlike the traditional quadcopter. As a result, there are technical advantages. In addition, there is an app for command and control as well as a peer to peer drone hailing service. Just punch in a starting address and a destination and a drone will land, pick up a package, and deliver it to the destination. The app/platform is called Futra. Under the Products page, you can find more such as supporting infrastructure.

Access is generally first come, first serve. You will be rewarded if you join early and will be given a referral link. Each successful referral will bump you up the waitlist.

For more information as far as the current status, see the FAQs page.

What are these Facebook comments?

This float is inspired by the post in the Lancaster/Depew Neighbors Helping Neighbors Facebook group where curious minds had fun speculating about my car.

America

How does this impact America?

Today is an important day for America. It's a good time to touch on how this project and company can potentially impact our great country and our allies.

Reliance on China

Right now, DJI is the gold standard for drone technology. They are the most reliable and have the the lowest price points. DJI is Chinese, but controls ~70-85% of the US market. This is a national security issue considering the defense and law enforcement use cases and the economic impact. We don't have a choice, alternatives are a must. In addition, lots of the equipment to build these drones is designed and made in China. This is a call for US or allied 3D printers that "just work" like Bambu's printers.

Natural Disaster Response

The North Carolina hurricanes come to mind. Imagine if drones could have landed in areas only reachable at the time by helicopters. A drone lands, outlets pop out, and more drones can bring fuel for the onboard generator powering critical equipment Berlin Airlift style. Or, dropping fire retardant at a low price point from entire swarns of drones on the Canadian fires.

Safer Roads

For tasks that can be completed with drones rather than a car, roads become less congested.

Creating Opportunities

Right now, people are rightfully worried about AI and lack oppurtunity as it is. If this is a success at scale, there will be oppurtunities to get paid to host the refueling and storage infrastructure, part production, and to pilot the drones. Most of this can be done right at home in a decentralized fashion. This unlocks oppurtunity for teens who can't yet drive, the elderly, and stay at home parents. In addition, platforms and services can be built on top that you and I haven't even thought of.

Building the Modern Industrial Base

Generating demand to build these systems has second and third order effects. For instance, this can be a small piece of the puzzle that aligns the demand incentives just right for there to be a domestic supply chain for components and materials. While energy costs and regulations are barriers, this can still be a helpful catalyst. Also, don't forget that we won WWII because we built the planes faster than they were shot down. This also brings me to another use case of the drone, which can improve efficiency of logistics and industrial supply chains. For example, it might be cheaper and quicker to move a part from a machine shop in Detriot to a facotry in Buffalo by flying it over Lake Erie than traditional methods. I would like to shout out two local companies that are a huge help and a symbol of the efforts to localize production. Hopping in a car and driving to pick up parts or supplies the same day is a crucial advantage that can help componsate for other areas lacking efficiency. The first is Factory Filament/Eaton Brothers Landscaping. While it's low tech, they are not dependent on the fragile forign supply chains and are able to offer an amazing product at a low price. In addition, not having to pay shipping to recycle scrap is a huge incentive. I just drop it off! Second is the company that provided the banners with an insanely quick turn around time, Apex Graphics.

Enviromental Impacts

While it's true this prototype has a combusion engine, there is a path to a fully electric model. Even without that, the distance per unit of fuel will exceed that of traditional ground transport. On board sensors can also collect real time, hyper localized environmental data.

You

Do you want to help write history?

If this resonates with you and you are wondering how you can get involved, it is extremely helpful if you join the waitlist if you can see yourself possibly using the service. It's important to get a sense of the potential demand when looking for investment and this is a tool to do that. In turn, this can acclerate the timelines for the project if more funding is accessible. Also, joining the waitlist helps us identify where the best locations to launch are. The more data, the better we can choose where to start. There are additional ways to get involved, see the FAQs post and additonal content on this page. In addition, the FAQs page outlines the public timelines for the project.

Stickers

We are also handing out stickers to kids along the parade route.

There is a finite amount of stickers. We will be handing them out along the parade route at random. If you would like to get one or a sheet, they will be for sale in the future to help fund the project. If you are interested, feel free to fill out the contact form.

I also know some folks were concerned about the content of the stickers and some false claims have been made. The reality is that the flag sticker shows a drone in front of the flag. It is abstract as it also serves as one of the white stripes. The other stickers are intented to be fun for the children, giving life and relatability to the drones and other symbols of daily life in America. The claim that the stickers show bombs is completely false. This company is unapologetically American Dynamism adjacent, after all.

Thank You

Have a great 4th of July!

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end. If you joined the waitlist and are following along, I also want to thank you. Please reach out for any reason. Questions, comments, and concerns about the project, company, or anything are welcome. If you would like to invest or be part in any way, I'm listening. Feel free to text me for any reason, 716-339-9982. Hopefully this was one of your favorite floats in the parade, and that the corn stand opens soon!