Alphabet CEO Larry page has had a considerable contribution to the success of Google; apart from his numerous contributions, the co-founder of the search giant is also known for inventing PageRank—Google’s best know search ranking algorithm.
However, according to a recent article by Bloomberg, the scientist and internet entrepreneur has bigger plans, which is not related to either Alphabet or Google. Page wants to introduce easier and eco-friendly state-of-the-art modes of transport, just like his close friend Elon Musk.
While Tesla CEO Musk is more focused on building cars, Page’s personal ventures take several leaps further; he plans to introduce ‘flying cars’ or an electric plan that could land and take off vertically. Pretty cool, isn’t it? Well, it might be an amazing project but Page does not want to disclose any details about the project; one reason why he ‘partially’ managed to keep it a secret for all these years.
According to the Bloomberg article, it all began three years ago, when the Silicon Valley became unusually suspicious about a start-up called Zee.Aero, which was situated right beside Google’s headquarters. Meanwhile, a reporter had stumbled upon a patent that indicated that the start-up was working on a small, all-electric plane, or a flying car.
At that time, numerous speculative articles were released about the company but it constantly denied having any connection with Google or any other tech giant. While the company stayed mum about any involvement with Google, it turns out that Zee.Aero isn’t a part of Google or Alphabet. It belongs to Larry Page as he personally funded the start-up, and demanded that his involvement stay hidden.
Now, after six year since its inception in 2010, the company has 150 employees, operations have expanded to an airport hangar in Hollister. Its operations have expanded massively and now have a manufacturing facility on NASA’s Ames Research Center campus at the edge of Mountain View.
Sources have also revealed that Page has invested approximately $100 million on the start-up. But that’s not all. Page has also backed a second flying car start-up, dubbed Kitty Hawk.
While the operations of both the start-ups are blurred, there have been reports that people working at the Hollister airport have seen two Zee.Aero crafts in recent months. Page has a long-term dream which is not only related to solving problems in the virtual world but also to deal equally with real-world problems.
While there is no guarantee whether any of these start-ups would be successful in coming out with a pragmatic ‘flying car’, it will surely be an impetus that will drive innovation in the field of advanced vehicle manufacturing.
