FLYING CARS A REALITY WITHIN FIVE YEARS
FLYING cars could be buzzing around the skies of major cities in as little as five years, according to a UNSW expert.
The vehicles are widely seen as the answer to our congestion woes and will be able reach speeds of 300km/h and have the ability to both take off and land vertically and fly horizontally as well.
They will also be eco-friendly: boasting zero emissions.
UNSW aerospace design expert Sonya Brown believes they could be a reality sooner than we think. “In very small numbers, worldwide, I’d say we’ll expect to see them in five years,” she said. “We’re looking at 10 to 15 years before they’re in general use.”
Among the earliest adopters are expected to be air ambulance vehicles and ride share companies.
“The early adopters are likely to be professional air-vehicle drivers because there will be, at least initially, high licensing requirements more comparative to a pilot’s licence,” she said.
However, as the technology develops, Dr Brown expects greater automation and reduced licensing requirements.
She said they will be able to travel up to 300km/h and 250km in one charge. And, given the heights they fly at, they would not disrupt commercial air travel.
“We’re looking at flying these vehicles below where typical aircrafts would fly, so between a few hundred meters and a few thousand metres,” she said.
A number of companies are already working on the technology including Boeing, Airbus, and Hyundai partnering with Uber.
Adelaide-based Airspeeder has helped develop vehicles for the electric flying car racing series and describes the performance as “incredible”.