April 20, 2022
MIAMI, FL, APRIL 20, 2022—REGENT, the venture-backed aerospace and maritime company, unveiled a prototype of the company’s all-electric seaglider for the first time to the public, live at CoMotion Miami (April 20-21), the new mobility conference, in front of a crowd of policymakers and innovative global transportation and technology companies.
REGENT CEO Billy Thalheimer presented a keynote address at the event, “Seagliders—The Future of Sustainable Coastal Transportation,” introducing the seaglider as the world’s first viable commercial solution to all-electric coastal transportation. Following the keynote, Thalheimer invited attendees to REGENT’s booth where he unveiled the seaglider prototype, marking the first time the seaglider has been officially shared with the public.
“There is no better place to share our vision for the future of all-electric coastal transportation and unveil our seaglider prototype than here at CoMotion Miami. Not only are we surrounded by innovative global leaders of future mobility, but we are in a hotspot of coastal transportation activity with millions of travelers along Miami’s coast and adjacent archipelagos every year,” said Billy Thalheimer. “We are so excited to share our seaglider with the public and welcome everyone to join us on this journey to make regional coastal transportation faster, safer, and more sustainable.”
Following the unveiling, REGENT CEO Billy Thalheimer and New Zealand's Ocean Flyer CEO Shah Aslam signed REGENT’s newest deal—the purchase of 25 seagliders worth $427M, bringing the company’s total orders at a value of $6B across 334 vehicles. The historic deal is among the largest private transportation deals in New Zealand’s history.
About seagliders
The REGENT seaglider (lower case “s”) is an all-electric flying vessel that combines the speed, comfort, and navigation systems of an aircraft with the convenience, maneuverability, and affordability of a boat. Regulated and certified by maritime authorities, the seaglider will transport commercial passengers and critical cargo up to 180 miles at nearly 180 mph with existing battery technology. Leveraging existing dock infrastructure, REGENT’s seaglider FLOATS, FOILS, and FLIES. From the dock and while in the no wake zone, the vehicle will float on its hull. Upon reaching 20 mph, it will rise on its retractable hydrofoil. Hydrofoils offer significant wave tolerance and enhanced passenger comfort as the vehicle leaves the crowded city harbor at speeds between 20-40mph. Upon reaching open water, the vehicle smoothly transitions onto its wing, retracts the foil, and accelerates to a comfortable 180-mph cruise speed—all while staying within a wingspan of the water’s surface. Flight safety at these altitudes is achieved utilizing a multiple-redundant, state-of-the-art navigation and control system. Similar to a hovercraft, seagliders fly on a dynamic air cushion created by the pressurized air between the wings and the water. The aerodynamic advantage of this so-called “ground effect,” includes significant operational efficiencies, increased payload capability, and greater range.
About REGENT
REGENT’s seagliders will revolutionize regional transportation. Our mission is to drastically reduce the cost and headache of moving people and goods between coastal cities. Our vehicle, called a seaglider, is an all-electric, wing-in-ground-effect craft that operates within a wingspan of the water's surface and couples the speed of an airplane with the operating cost of a boat. Built to the same safety standards as all modern aircraft and watercraft, seagliders will service routes up to 180 miles with existing battery technology and routes up to 500 miles with next-gen batteries, all via existing dock infrastructure. Our world-class team of aerospace and maritime engineers are leveraging maritime vehicle development pathways to bring our zero-emission, high-speed seagliders to market within five years.