By Cade Metz, a technology correspondent covering artificial intelligence, driverless cars, robotics and virtual reality, and Erin Griffith, who reports on technology startups and venture capital.

It was sleek, cone-shaped, a little confusing — like something Hollywood would give a sci-fi villain for a quick getaway.

It wasn’t a helicopter. And it wasn’t an airplane. It was a cross between the two, with a curved hull, two small wings and eight spinning rotors lined up across its nose and tail.

At the touch of a button on a . . .