Flying Cars to be Tested in 2017 Says Airbus
It’s a bird, it’s a plane…wait a minute, it’s a car!
Airbus, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, says it plans to test a prototype of a flying car by the end of this year — a development that could be a major leap towards reducing congestion on highways and roads.
The news came from Airbus’s chief executive, Tom Enders, who was speaking at a technology conference in Germany.
And, it’s not without some planning. Last year Airbus created a division called Urban Air Mobility to explore these concepts — including a vehicle to transport individuals or a helicopter-style vehicle that can carry multiple riders.
What’s more, the goal would be for people to book the vehicle using an app, similar to car-sharing plans. So watch out Uber and Lyft.
The Jetsons in their flying car some 50 years ago
Key to the approach is “vertical take-off and landing” (VTOL) technology that would allow vehicles to pick up passengers in busy urban areas. The company plans be in production by 2021.
As in most things, money talks and…well you know what “walks.” Well guess what folks, the big money is indeed talking — and loud at that. Google founder Larry Page has invested millions into two flying car start-ups, while Chinese company E-Hang has a prototype design.
Uber and Amazon are also on it. So keep your eyes on the skies.
Category: Commercial, Consumer
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