Flying cars have been staples in science fiction for decades, believed to be the ultimate stamp of the future. From The Jetsons to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, there’s been no shortage of fascination with the concept. When it comes to the question of will there be flying cars in the future, many companies answer with a resounding yes.
The flying cars from fiction are quite a departure from what they’ll actually look like. Many imagine them as cars that can simply fly, but current iterations are more nuanced. From the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL, which resembles a sports car crossed with a helicopter, to Dubai’s police hoverbike, which mimics a motorcycle, the landscape of flying cars is varied. There may not be a singular flying car “look,” but a few different types and styles may hit the scene.
Technically, we have the technology to craft these vehicles now. The United States already has a long history of aircraft innovation with airplanes, drones, and helicopters. There are, however, major concerns with flying cars, mostly related to space and safety.
Users will need ample take-off space, as well as large, designated zones on which to land. In crowded, urban spaces, vertical takeoff is a must to avoid crashes. Without the proper amount of space, takeoff and landing simply isn’t possible. The space requirement would make flying vehicles less than ideal for those without a lot of land, or without access to adequate space.
While space is important, safety is the biggest concern you see raised regarding this mode of transportation. For traditional cars, if something goes wrong you can simply pull over, but this isn’t an option for flying cars. The concern is for the safety of the driver and the bystanders on the ground in the event a mechanical failure occurs. These concerns must be addressed before flying car manufacturers can hope to bring these vehicles into the mainstream.
All in all, the question of if there will there be flying cars in the future is more a question of when. A slew of vehicles are already in development, and Uber hopes to offer flying rideshare services by the mid-2020s. Though these goals are lofty, with the current research and technology, it certainly isn’t out of the question. You may not see a flying car parked in every driveway, but within the next couple years, you may hear them buzzing over your head.
