Throughout human history, transportation has continued to evolve—from horseback riding and bicycles to motorcycles and automobiles. Imagine zipping through the city in a flying car, just like in a sci-fi movie. KT Lin would tell you this is no longer just fantasy, but something very likely to become part of everyday life.
Reinventing the Automotive Industry with Smart Mobility
KT Lin graduated from the Department of Industrial Design at Tatung University before continuing his studies at the Royal College of Art in the UK, where he focused on intelligent mobility. There, he developed strong product development skills and innovative thinking in mobility design. While most graduates entered the automotive industry, Lin observed that after more than a century of development, the industry had reached a bottleneck: vehicle designs were becoming increasingly homogeneous. This realization prompted him to explore alternative possibilities in smart mobility.
As early as 2013, during his university years, Lin had been exposed to research on aircraft and levitating vehicles. Later, inspired by the momentum generated by the Uber Elevate Summit beginning in 2017, he became aware that flying vehicles were emerging as a real and accelerating trend. In 2019, Lin co-founded Bellwether Industries with his university classmate Daniel Chen, with a focus on developing technologies for flying cars.
Not Just Imagination, Flying Cars Are Becoming Reality
Flying cars may sound like science fiction, but according to KT Lin, over 700 companies worldwide are working actively in this area, developing aerial vehicles for a wide range of functions. Much as automobiles have evolved into sedans, SUVs, minibuses, buses, and trucks, aerial vehicles are also expected to develop into a broad spectrum, moving beyond conventional categories of airplanes and helicopters.
"Bellwether Industries envisions aerial vehicles as a solution for short-distance urban commuting," KT Lin explains. After years of R&D, the team has developed what is currently the most compact, efficient, and lightweight flying vehicle on the market. Unlike traditional aircraft that require large takeoff and landing areas or generate noise pollution and high power consumption, their design adopts electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, making it far more suitable for urban commuting scenarios.
KT Lin believes that the future of air mobility hinges on three key factors. Beyond the vehicles themselves, infrastructure and transportation systems are equally critical. He points out that while many companies are focused on developing aircraft, a comprehensive airspace management system is still lacking. This is an area he and his team hope to work on in the future.
Working with UKTCC-JC to Support Taiwan's Industrial Upgrading
Developing a breakthrough product often requires substantial R&D investment. KT Lin shared that the United States demonstrates remarkable ambition and scale when it comes to supporting startups, with a willingness to invest significant capital and time in developing new technologies. Taking Tesla's electric vehicles as an example, it took nearly 20 years before the company turned a profit. This is an achievement that is difficult for many other countries to replicate.
Lin expressed gratitude to investors from Taiwan and highlighted Taiwan's continued strengths in the air mobility industry. These include key components and capabilities such as fasteners, controllers, airframe materials, and AI computing power—all areas where Taiwan has abundant resources. He believes Taiwan has considerable room to grow in the aerospace sector, but notes that what is still lacking is the integration among tier-1 suppliers.
He also shared his appreciation for the Overseas Community Affairs Division, Taipei Representative Office in the UK. Thanks to their recommendation, KT Lin participated in the 2025 Global Young Entrepreneur Stars selection and successfully won the honor. This experience has helped strengthen his ties with Taiwan. This past September, he assumed the role of President of the UK Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce-Junior Chapter (UKTCC-JC). Lin sees it as a timely opportunity to expand networks and integrate resources to support Taiwan's industrial upgrading. "London is an incredibly large platform," he said. "Here, you meet Taiwanese compatriots from all over the world. I hope that through Taiwanese communities, we can gradually collaborate with counterparts across different international circles."
Growth Is a Given; Innovation Matters More
KT Lin takes inspiration from the philosophy of TSMC founder Morris Chang, noting that "growth is the most basic, and simplest, goal to achieve. With enough capital and manpower, growth can happen. But to truly outperform competitors, one must innovate. Innovation allows one to take a different path; it is a shortcut that can even enable companies to leapfrog others' growth trajectories." In Lin's view, clearly defining a long-term vision, continuously investing in innovative thinking, and developing sound strategies are important. Renowned entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang all exemplify this mindset.
As for how the public will receive such emerging technologies, KT Lin points to the automobile as an example. "When cars were first invented, there were no paved roads or traffic lights. They began with small-scale trial runs, serving specific groups, and only gradually became widespread." He believes that one day, people like you and me may well be riding in Bellwether Industries' aircrafts, experiencing the freedom of soaring through the skies.
