Episode 168 Jeral Poskey, Swyft Cities

What if the future of urban transportation isn't more roads, more trains, or even flying cars—but an on-demand network of autonomous vehicles gliding above traffic? In Episode 168 of the Agents of Innovation Podcast, host Francisco Gonzalez sits down with Jeral Poskey, Founder & CEO of Swyft Cities, to discuss a revolutionary approach to urban mobility that could transform how people move through cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond. A former transportation executive at Google with degrees from the Stanford University and the University of Texas at Austin, Poskey explains why traditional solutions—including additional road lanes, autonomous cars, subways, and flying vehicles—may not solve growing congestion challenges. Instead, Swyft Cities has developed "Whoosh," a network of autonomous cable-guided vehicles that travel above traffic, allowing passengers to take nonstop, on-demand trips between destinations. The conversation explores how this technology works, its potential applications in South Florida, the economics of transportation infrastructure, environmental benefits, real-estate integration, and why Miami could become one of the world's premier demonstration sites for next-generation urban mobility. Francisco also draws connections to Henry Flagler's transformational infrastructure investments in Florida and discusses how innovative transportation solutions can support economic mobility and quality of life for residents. Topics include: * The limitations of autonomous vehicles and flying cars * How Swyft Cities' "Whoosh" system works * Why Miami and South Florida are ideal testing grounds * Transportation infrastructure costs and scalability * Real estate development opportunities * Environmental and quality-of-life benefits * The future of mobility in growing metropolitan regions * Current projects in California, New Zealand, and beyond Learn more about Swyft Cities: https://swyftcities.com Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v6dOc0w1Nq8 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, philanthropists, and artists who are shaping the future. Follow the Agents of Innovation podcast on: Instagram: / / innovationradio X: / https://x.com/agentinnovation Facebook: / / agentsofinnovationpodcast You can support this podcast and our Fearless Journeys community on our Patreon account: www.patreon.com/fearlessjourneys You can also join our network -- and our group trips -- through the Fearless Journeys community at: https://www.fearlessjourneys.org and subscribe to our free newsletter at: https://fearlessjourneys.substack.com 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – From Texas to Google: Jeral's transportation journey 04:38 – Why autonomous cars and flying taxis won't solve traffic 05:50 – How the "Whoosh" cable-based transit system works 07:24 – Disney transportation, gondolas, and future cities 11:10 – Building transit networks with a LEGO-like approach 14:03 – Comparing infrastructure costs to rail and subways 18:04 – Real estate development and the "horizontal elevator" concept 21:30 – On-demand, nonstop transportation above traffic 25:45 – Current projects in California and around the world 29:03 – Addressing public concerns and common misconceptions 30:25 – The promise of frictionless urban mobility 31:43 – Environmental benefits and reducing urban sprawl 34:02 – The partnerships needed to bring Swyft Cities to Florida 37:05 – Henry Flagler's vision and building Florida's future 40:01 – Solving the short-distance trips that cause most congestion 42:22 – Transportation, affordability, and economic mobility 47:47 – Potential applications across South Florida 52:02 – Why Miami could become a global showcase city 53:51 – Lessons from Medellín's cable car transformation 55:56 – New Zealand demonstration project and open house 57:07 – Fearless Journeys and a future visit to Christchurch 58:15 – How to connect with Swyft Cities 59:00 – Final thoughts