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Iconic Bentley Symbol Now Flies: Engineer Creates Hood Drone With Useful Functions Like Lighting, Navigation, and Aerial Image Capture
A new step in the fusion of luxury, technology, and mobility has been revealed with the creation of a flying emblem for Bentley cars. The symbol “Flying B,” a traditional brand ornament, has evolved into a functional mini-drone. The invention is credited to Spanish engineer José María Ortega Hernández, who has previously worked with Bentley and has now patented the innovation.
The history of the “Flying B” began in the 1920s, when Bentley customers requested an iconic figure on their hoods. The earliest model, EXP 2, had only a temperature gauge, but soon the “B” with horizontal wings, made of brass, appeared. This symbol accompanied various models of the brand until the 1970s, when safety regulations prohibited protruding ornaments due to pedestrian risks.
In 2006, Bentley launched a retractable version of the Flying B. The new design appeared in models such as the Bentley Azure, Brooklands, and Mulsanne, retracting in the event of impact. But now, in 2024, this concept has evolved: the Flying B not only retracts but can also take off.
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According to the patent registered by Ortega, the emblem transformed into a drone weighs less than 250 grams and has four rotors, allowing it to take off from the hood. The goal is to serve multiple functions in the driver’s daily life.
Among the features highlighted in the patent are: emergency lighting, where the drone can fly over the car and turn on lights in the event of a nighttime accident; aerial guide for the owner, especially in low-visibility areas; searching for parking spaces ahead of the vehicle; route navigation in hard-to-access locations; and even generating images for social media, like selfies and aerial videos.
The idea is for the equipment to also meet international standards. Ortega claims the proposal considers the 249-gram limit to fit into the open category of drones in Spain. But he emphasizes that the project is global, intending to function in any country where Bentley operates.
Despite the enthusiasm for the technology, the engineer recognizes the legal challenges. In Spain, for example, drone use is regulated by legislation that requires respect for airspace and privacy. The Data Protection Law applies when the drone captures images, as stated in Article 26 of Royal Decree 1036/2017.
Bentley confirmed to the publication Motorpasión that it is closely monitoring the proposal. The use of the drone instead of the traditional Flying B has not yet been widely implemented, but the patent has been registered. Ortega believes that the concept has the potential to transform the way vehicles interact with their surroundings — not only for status but also for functionality.
The future of the Flying B may indeed be in the skies, but it still depends on the regulations of each country. Until then, the Bentley icon continues to evolve, now with real wings.
With information from Xataka.
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