Flying Cars

We’ve been focused on flying cars since the Jetsons showed us the possibilities. With all the distractions of the last several months, it is easy to lose sight of the progress made on several innovation fronts. The flying car is no exception, as describes in this recent Article by Charlie Osborne. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) industry is plowing ahead. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is one that can hover, take off, and land vertically. Japan plans on sending these flying cars into the skies in three years. Per the article, Japan-based SkyDrive has developed a two-seater eVTOL vehicle currently at the testing stage. In addition to Japan, Uber, Boeing, Airbus, AeroMobil, and others are exploring the VTOL space. Flying taxis is one area of focus. A quote from SkyDrive captures it well:

“In developed countries, flying cars are expected to be used as a means of transportation to ease traffic jams and respond in times of disaster, while in developing countries they are likely to be used as a form of transportation that requires far less infrastructure,” the company says.

In an interview with the Japan Times, SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said he hopes to demonstrate another manned flight over summer, with an air taxi service planned for 2023. The hope is to offer flying cars commercially to the public by 2028 for roughly the same price as an expensive car. The Emerging Mobility Ecosystem has been taking shape for several years now. As Fukuzawa said: “I’m really excited about the future prospects because we’re about to witness a big improvement in mobility — which is rare, historically, starting from horses to cars, to airplanes and steamships.

Even in these trying times, innovation continues to accelerate — in some cases, the times are amplifying that Acceleration.

Originally published at http://frankdiana.net on August 14, 2020.