The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport recently convened at the iconic Dubai World Trade Centre, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of future mobility. The event attracted approximately 6,000 attendees, featuring over 85 global industry leaders including Volkswagen, Porsche, McLaren, Volvo, Ford Motor Company, Uber, Joby, Stellantis, and Samson Sky. This congress served as a premier platform for showcasing advancements in self-driving technology, integrated transport systems, and the future of mobility. Dubai, recognized as a forward-thinking city, continues to push boundaries in its quest to lead the future, especially embracing innovative concepts like flying cars.
One of the prominent voices at this congress was Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky and the designer of the revolutionary Switchblade Flying Sports Car. Bousfield shared his vision for the future of autonomous regional travel, emphasizing the integration of AI into the Switchblade’s cockpit to streamline flying, even in busy airspace environments. His talk highlighted the network potential for autonomous flying cars, aiming to redefine how people travel across regions. Production for the first Switchblade models is slated to begin in late 2026, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to support full autonomous driving and flying capabilities in future iterations.
The Switchblade Flying Sports Car is designed specifically for regional travelers covering distances between 250 to 500 miles (approximately 300 to 800 kilometers), targeting both business and leisure segments. According to Bousfield, the U.S. alone has an estimated 21 million regional travelers who will greatly benefit from this innovative mode of transport. The vehicle offers several advantages over traditional airline travel or road driving, including significantly reduced travel time—trips can take about half the duration of conventional methods. Passengers can enjoy door-to-door convenience, traveling without leaving the comfort of their vehicle and avoiding the common hassles of airport procedures.
Flexibility is a core strength of the Switchblade. Owners can travel according to their personal schedules rather than being constrained by airline timetables. The ability to seamlessly switch between driving and flying modes provides unmatched freedom to travel whenever and wherever desired. This hybrid electric vehicle is not only road-capable but also designed for high performance in the air. It fits comfortably in a standard garage, uses existing airport infrastructure for takeoff and landing, and features wings, tail, and propellers that tuck neatly away while driving. The Switchblade seats two passengers side-by-side, with ample space for travel bags, and flies up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) on a single tank of premium auto gas, cruising at an estimated speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).
Bousfield expressed his honor in participating among the world’s leaders in autonomous vehicle technology, praising Dubai for its openness to futuristic innovations. He is optimistic that Samson Sky’s exclusive Limited Edition Switchblade Flying Sports Car will capture strong interest in Dubai and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Switchblade represents a pioneering step toward a more efficient and enjoyable way to experience regional travel, combining the thrill of flying with the comfort and practicality of an advanced sports car.
As an experimental category aircraft, the Switchblade operates under a distinct classification as per the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which currently certifies only fully mass-produced aircraft manufactured in factories. For those interested in following the Switchblade’s journey towards production and beyond, Samson Sky has made comprehensive information available through their official website. This promising innovation signals a new era in personal transport, where the skies open up as the new roads, fueled by groundbreaking technology and visionary design.
