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Hybrid airship startup builds ultra-safe, ‘plummet-proof’ aircraft with a catchy name
Egan Airships, Inc., a startup company based in Seattle, wants you to consider an aircraft mashup they’ve invented as an all-in-one aircraft solution, and they just may be on to something big. It’s called “Plimp,” and the name describes just what it is: a hybrid plane and blimp flying machine — drone and helicopter elements are also integrated. Using small wings for lift, electric propellers for thrust, and a strong helium-filled buoyant pouch, the Plimp is positioned to fill niche needs in communication and both civilian and military operations.
Thus far, a proof-of-concept Plimp drone was successfully built and demonstrated at the InterDrone 2018 Expo in Las Vegas in September. For commercial viability, Egan intends to use the craft for advertising as its initial market, but the long-term plan is to provide solutions for agriculture along with forest, wildlife, homeland security, and military operational support. The ability of the Plimp craft to achieve vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) enables many of these capabilities that are not practical for other craft in the airship/dirigible category. As a VTOL craft, Plimps are easier to maneuver in small spaces and only need small clearings to land.
The airship manufacturer is currently seeking buyers to aid the development of the much larger version of its aircraft, the Model J, which will carry up to 10 people, 2 pilots and 8 passengers, specifically. The asking price is $4 million dollars plus overages, paid over the course of four years. Also, buyers must be vetted prior to purchase for an additional $1000 fee. Since the Plimp’s combination of rigid helium pouch and wings makes it a uniquely safe and plummet-proof aircraft, Egan is expecting to have a highly desired product that enables the discernibility it seeks in customer selection.
The Plimp drone can cruise for an hour at 30 mph with a 5 lb payload for 20 miles, although its total distance is restricted by drone visibility regulation requiring line-of-sight operation. The performance estimates for the Model J are largely dependent on its payloads. At full capacity (2000 lbs), the aircraft is limited to an 80 mph cruising speed over five hours for a 320 mile travel range. This limitation is highly variable, however. With less weight carried, the Model J can reach 93 mph and travel up to 1300 miles.
James and Joel Egan, the co-founding twin brothers of Egan Airships, conceptualized the Plimp design when they were children. After looking into actualizing their dream later as adults, they found commercially available materials insufficient for what would be required to make their invention work. The availability of strong, lightweight fiberglass composites in today’s markets has now enabled the Egan brothers to finally pursue their craft’s development. To help with the effort, Daniel Raymer, a renowned aerospace design engineer known for his work with Lockheed’s Skunk Works (of SR-71 fame) and the Stargazer plane used for Pegasus rocket launches, was brought on board to finalize the design.
Watch the below video for more about Plimp and its products:
News
Tesla starts showing how FSD will change lives in Europe
Local officials tested the system on narrow country roads and were impressed by FSD’s smooth, human-like driving, with some calling the service a game-changer for everyday life in areas that are far from urban centers.
Tesla has launched Europe’s first public shuttle service using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in the rural Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm region of Germany, demonstrating how the technology can restore independence and mobility for people who struggle with limited transport options.
Local officials tested the system on narrow country roads and were impressed by FSD’s smooth, human-like driving, with some calling the service a game-changer for everyday life in areas that are far from urban centers.
Officials see real impact on rural residents
Arzfeld Mayor Johannes Kuhl and District Administrator Andreas Kruppert personally tested the Tesla shuttle service. This allowed them to see just how well FSD navigated winding lanes and rural roads confidently. Kruppert said, “Autonomous driving sounds like science fiction to many, but we simply see here that it works totally well in rural regions too.” Kuhl, for his part, also noted that FSD “feels like a very experienced driver.”
The pilot complements the area’s “Citizen Bus” program, which provides on-demand rides for elderly residents who can no longer drive themselves. Tesla Europe shared a video of a demonstration of the service, highlighting how FSD gives people their freedom back, even in places where public transport is not as prevalent.
What the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Transport says
Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister Daniela Schmitt supported the project, praising the collaboration that made this “first of its kind in Europe” possible. As per the ministry, the rural rollout for the service shows FSD’s potential beyond major cities, and it delivers tangible benefits like grocery runs, doctor visits, and social connections for isolated residents.
“Reliable and flexible mobility is especially vital in rural areas. With the launch of a shuttle service using self-driving vehicles (FSD supervised) by Tesla in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm, an innovative pilot project is now getting underway that complements local community bus services. It is the first project of its kind in Europe.
“The result is a real gain for rural mobility: greater accessibility, more flexibility and tangible benefits for everyday life. A strong signal for innovation, cooperation and future-oriented mobility beyond urban centers,” the ministry wrote in a LinkedIn post.
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Tesla China quietly posts Robotaxi-related job listing
Tesla China is currently seeking a Low Voltage Electrical Engineer to work on circuit board design for the company’s autonomous vehicles.
Tesla has posted a new job listing in Shanghai explicitly tied to its Robotaxi program, fueling speculation that the company is preparing to launch its dedicated autonomous ride-hailing service in China.
As noted in the listing, Tesla China is currently seeking a Low Voltage Electrical Engineer to work on circuit board design for the company’s autonomous vehicles.
Robotaxi-specific role
The listing, which was shared on social media platform X by industry watcher @tslaming, suggested that Tesla China is looking to fill the role urgently. The job listing itself specifically mentions that the person hired for the role will be working on the Low Voltage Hardware team, which would design the circuit boards that would serve as the nervous system of the Robotaxi.
Key tasks for the role, as indicated in the job listing, include collaboration with PCB layout, firmware, mechanical, program management, and validation teams, among other responsibilities. The role is based in Shanghai.
China Robotaxi launch
China represents a massive potential market for robotaxis, with its dense urban centers and supportive policies in select cities. Tesla has limited permission to roll out FSD in the country, though despite this, its vehicles have been hailed as among the best in the market when it comes to autonomous features. So far, at least, it appears that China supports Tesla’s FSD and Robotaxi rollout.
This was hinted at in November, when Tesla brought the Cybercab to the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, marking the first time that the autonomous two-seater was brought to the Asia-Pacific region. The vehicle, despite not having a release date in China, received a significant amount of interest among the event’s attendees.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk and Tesla AI Director share insights after empty driver seat Robotaxi rides
The executives’ unoccupied tests hint at the rapid progress of Tesla’s unsupervised Robotaxi efforts.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and AI Director Ashok Elluswamy celebrated Christmas Eve by sharing personal experiences with Robotaxi vehicles that had no safety monitor or occupant in the driver’s seat. Musk described the system’s “perfect driving” around Austin, while Elluswamy posted video from the back seat, calling it “an amazing experience.”
The executives’ unoccupied tests hint at the rapid progress of Tesla’s unsupervised Robotaxi efforts.
Elon and Ashok’s firsthand Robotaxi insights
Prior to Musk and the Tesla AI Director’s posts, sightings of unmanned Teslas navigating public roads were widely shared on social media. One such vehicle was spotted in Austin, Texas, which Elon Musk acknowleged by stating that “Testing is underway with no occupants in the car.”
Based on his Christmas Eve post, Musk seemed to have tested an unmanned Tesla himself. “A Tesla with no safety monitor in the car and me sitting in the passenger seat took me all around Austin on Sunday with perfect driving,” Musk wrote in his post.
Elluswamy responded with a 2-minute video showing himself in the rear of an unmanned Tesla. The video featured the vehicle’s empty front seats, as well as its smooth handling through real-world traffic. He captioned his video with the words, “It’s an amazing experience!”
Towards Unsupervised operations
During an xAI Hackathon earlier this month, Elon Musk mentioned that Tesla owed be removing Safety Monitors from its Robotaxis in Austin in just three weeks. “Unsupervised is pretty much solved at this point. So there will be Tesla Robotaxis operating in Austin with no one in them. Not even anyone in the passenger seat in about three weeks,” he said. Musk echoed similar estimates at the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting and the Q3 2025 earnings call.
Considering the insights that were posted Musk and Elluswamy, it does appear that Tesla is working hard towards operating its Robotaxis with no safety monitors. This is quite impressive considering that the service was launched just earlier this year.
Tesla starts showing how FSD will change lives in Europe
Tesla China quietly posts Robotaxi-related job listing
