Rafi Yoeli Keynote Speaker

  • Israeli Pilot and Inventor of the Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk.
  • CEO of Urban Aeronautics Ltd. and Visionary behind Tactical Robotics Cormorant.
  • Aviation Expert with Key Roles at Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing.

Rafi Yoeli's Biography

Rafi Yoeli, a distinguished Israeli pilot and innovative inventor, is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the realm of aviation. With designs for two revolutionary flying cars under his belt, the Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk and Tactical Robotics Cormorant, he stands as a beacon of advancement in the world of aeronautics. As a speaker, Yoeli captivates audiences with topics surrounding aviation innovations, the future of urban transportation, and the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Currently serving as the CEO of Urban Aeronautics Ltd., a company he established in Yavne, Israel in 2000, Rafi Yoeli’s professional journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. Before taking the reins at Urban Aeronautics, Yoeli enriched his aviation experience at Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. and also worked with aviation titan Boeing in Seattle for a tenure of 18 months. Notably, in 1989, Yoeli founded Aero Design & Development Ltd (AD&D, Ltd.) and held the esteemed position of managing director.

In the early 2000s and throughout the 2010s, Yoeli’s vision and expertise took form in the Tactical Robotics Cormorant, formerly known as AirMule or Mule. This flying car UAV was meticulously crafted by Tactical Robotics Ltd., a subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics Ltd. Yoeli’s unique perspective on urban transportation solutions led him to design the Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk, a hovering vehicle that bears semblance to helicopters but reimagined with rotors below the cockpit. This design sought to circumvent the limitations conventional helicopters face in dense urban terrains.
An interesting tidbit from Yoeli’s journey is his interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, where he shared that the X-Hawk, priced at an estimated $3.2 million USD, was geared for both military and civilian personal use and was slated for consumer availability in 2020.

Born in Tel Aviv around 1950, Rafi Yoeli is not just an inventor but also a patriot, having served as a reserve officer in the Israeli Air Force. His academic credentials are equally commendable, being an alumnus of the esteemed Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Yoeli’s contributions to the world of aviation, coupled with his dedication to developing futuristic urban transport solutions, make him an engaging and sought-after speaker in the realm of technology and innovation.

Rafi Yoeli stands out not just as an inventor but also as an articulate communicator. With a deep well of firsthand experiences, from conceptualizing groundbreaking flying vehicles to navigating the intricacies of the aeronautics industry, Yoeli brings a richness of perspective to the speaking circuit. His ability to demystify complex subjects and engage audiences with tales of innovation and perseverance positions him as a highly sought-after speaker. Whether addressing industry professionals, aspiring engineers, or the general public, Yoeli’s insights resonate, inspire, and challenge listeners to imagine the future possibilities of transportation and technology.

Read More

Check Rafi Yoeli's speaking fees and availability

    Sending your message…

    Please wait, this can take a moment

    Message sent…

    Close

    Please provide your details and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

    We can only respond to requests for professional speaking engagements. We are unable to respond to requests for autographs, shoutouts and personalized messages.

    Discover other speakers

    Daniela Rus Speaker
    Exclusive
    Daniela Rus
    Director of MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), author of the 'The Heart and The Chip' (2024) and The Mind's Mirror (2024)
    Ramesh Srinivasan Speaker
    Exclusive
    Ramesh Srinivasan
    Expert on how ethical technology solutions can support innovation, diversity, equity and inclusion.
    Michael Osborne Speaker
    Exclusive
    Michael Osborne
    Professor of Machine Learning at Oxford University. Co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Mind Foundry Ltd
    Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst Speaker
    Exclusive
    Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst
    Bestselling authors on the future of work
    Mark Mills speaking
    Mark P. Mills Speaker
    Exclusive
    Mark P. Mills
    Expert on Energy Transitions and Emerging Technologies
    Chris Kane Speaker
    Exclusive
    Chris Kane
    Practitioner, Author & Adviser on Commercial Real Estate and the Future of Work
    Dr. Kirstin Ferguson, PhD Speaker
    Exclusive
    Dr. Kirstin Ferguson, PhD
    Internationally acclaimed Leadership Expert, Bestselling Author & Business Leader
    Dror Poleg - Chartwell BG
    Dror Poleg Speaker
    Exclusive
    Dror Poleg
    Expert on The Future of Work, Offices & Cities
    Sarah O'Connor Speaker
    Exclusive
    Sarah O'Connor
    Columnist and associate editor, Financial Times
    Carl Benedikt Frey Speaker
    Exclusive
    Carl Benedikt Frey
    Professor of AI & Work at the Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University