Whoosh^® Launch Event

(September 10, 2024)

READY, SET, WHOOSH!

After 5 years of keeping Whoosh^® under wraps in our New Zealand lab, we held a launch event to share our vision of the future with the world.

 

 

We were incredibly excited to unveil Whoosh^® at our September Launch Event. Check out the video highlight above to see an introduction from Whoosh CEO Dr. Chris Allington and a panel discussion with Alastair Porter of Remarkables Park and Jeral Poskey of Swyft Cities. There are also other scenes from the event, including rides on the prototypes and reactions from attendees. Many thanks to Jo Malcolm for moderating the panel and helping coordinate the event.

The day started with a visit from the media. We were thrilled by the coverage and so happy to share the greater vision of Whoosh while showcasing the quarter-scale prototype in our lab. It was wonderful to see the reporters light up as they hopped in for their first rides. You can explore highlights of the media coverage from the launch on our press page.

After the camera crews and reporters packed up, it was time for the party. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many supporters and friends of the project as we unlocked the lab. It's been an amazing five years leading up to that moment. We've had a groundswell of support locally for this New Zealand-based technology and that enthusiasm has reverberated internationally. We're grateful for all of the support so far and can't wait to move on to the first full-scale project at Remarkables Park in Queenstown.

“We're so happy to officially share Whoosh^® with the world. This is only the beginning, come with us on the journey." - Dr. Chris Allington, Whoosh CEO

A huge thank you to everyone - our development team, our investors, our delivery partners Swyft Cities, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Remarkables Park, Queenstown Lakes District Council, and so many more around the world who have shown interest and encouraged us. We truly wish you all could have been here for the celebration. See you at the Remarkables Park launch!

 

About Whoosh^®:

Whoosh combines the best parts of ride-hailing services with elements of the urban gondola industry to create an entirely new elevated transportation mode. Using the Whoosh App, riders can hail or pre book an autonomous electric vehicle that speeds along elevated guideways to the nearest station for rider pick up. Once on board, riders are whisked away to their chosen location, gliding non-stop above the traffic below.

Whoosh vehicles use upwards of 50% less energy when compared to road based EVs because they maintain a higher average occupancy and travel non-stop, reducing wasted energy from stopping, braking, or traffic jams. Whoosh enables trips that are more energy efficient, faster, and safer - providing a truly unique travel experience on a dedicated, elevated guideway.

Whoosh’s small footprint and lightweight guideway allow it to be installed along existing roads or other terrain without disrupting or impacting current travel options. The system has small station options that are convenient for riders to access. With no moving parts, the guideway is low cost, simple to install, and easy to modify - allowing Whoosh networks to be expanded as demand grows.

Global trials of on-demand micro-transit have been wildly popular, with riders enjoying the freedom provided. Unfortunately, most of these trials are proving to be unsustainable as the systems cannot be economically scaled as demand grows. Whoosh breaks this pattern with full autonomy, low energy costs, and minimal maintenance requirements - allowing the fractional cost of Whoosh to reduce as demand increases.