Sunday, April 30, 2017

When Cars Fly

(Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons)
The idea of flying cars has been part of the human imagination for as long as we've had cars -- maybe longer (flying carpet, anyone?). It isn't hard to imagine why. We dream of getting to places faster, avoiding busy intersections, having more freedom to travel over unpaved areas, and of course having a wonderful birds-eye view of our world.
    

(Image Credit: Back To The Future 2)

Flying cars play starring roles in movies like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Back to the Future and cartoons like the Jetsons. Many videos can be found on YouTube with related vehicles, and Uber seems ready to work with potential partners creating flying taxi-vehicles. Some "flying cars" seem to be fold-up airplanes, others seem more like dune buggies with hang glider attachments. Still others borrows from military helicopters and are designed for vertical take-off.



 (Image Credit: Hanna-Barbera Productions)
Lately, we've been hearing about ways in which inventors might be getting closer to something practical. Another design getting lots of attention lately is the the Kitty Hawk from Google co-founder Larry Page, which seems to be a large octo-copter drone with a seat strapped on top.


Kitty Hawk Test Flight

This video is fun to watch, but it certainly prompts many questions. How safe is this vehicle? Who would regulate (or insure) it? How close is it to production-readiness, and what would it cost? Where should such a vehicle be permitted to operate?

Would you drive (or fly) this vehicle? How much would you be willing to pay for it?
Please leave a comment and let us know.

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