Samson Sky CEO Sam Bousfield, designer of the Switchblade Flying Sports Car, was among the international experts presenting at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The congress is regarded as a leading global platform for self-driving technology, future mobility, and integrated transport systems, attracting around 6,000 attendees. More than 85 speakers took part, representing organizations such as Volkswagen, Porsche, McLaren, Volvo, Ford Motor Company, Uber, Joby, Stellantis and Samson Sky.
Bousfield’s presentation centered on the future of autonomous drive-and-fly regional travel, outlining how AI integration is being developed for the Switchblade to simplify flying in busy airspace and pave the way toward full autonomy. Samson Sky is targeting initial production of the Switchblade in late 2026.
The Switchblade is a hybrid electric, highway-capable vehicle that converts to an aircraft. Designed for regional travel in the 250–500 mile (300–800 km) range, the Switchblade offers an alternative to airline travel and long car journeys.
Key specifications include:
- Seats two passengers with room for luggage
- Range of up to 500 miles / 805 km on premium auto gas
- Estimated 160 mph / 257 km/h cruise speed in the air
- Fully enclosed wings, tail, and propellers while driving
- Capable of operating on standard roads and existing airport infrastructure
During his talk, Bousfield outlined the Switchblade’s advantages for regional travelers seeking an alternative to airline flights or long drives. Designed for convenience, the vehicle can be parked in a home garage, driven on standard roads to a nearby airport, and made flight-ready at the push of a button as its wings and tail deploy.
He emphasized that the Switchblade enables shorter overall travel times, the flexibility of personal scheduling, and true door-to-door trips without leaving the comfort of one’s own vehicle.
Bousfield stated, “I was honored to be included amongst the world’s leaders in autonomous vehicles. The Dubai congress was a tremendous forum for presenting the state-of-the-art in future mobility. The UAE’s capital is very welcoming of this kind of technology. We think our exclusive Limited Edition vehicle will be a hit in Dubai and the entire MENA region.”
