VoiceofReason
Sometimes I wonder what the color of the sky is in the world these designers live in. Exposed rotors AND flying over traffic? Can't wait until someone sticks a hand in or flies right into a power line.
My concept will use metallic hydrogen. It only needs a tank capable of holding 3 million psi. Surely just as plausible as exposed rotors on a car.
martinkopplow
@voiceofreason: Ever seen a helicopter ... with exposed rotors?
Still, I agree that flying cars are not going to happen as long as they need to be piloted by ordinary people. Flying is kind of unforgiving to all sorts of errors. Ask me how I know. It would raise the 'road kill' numbers dramatically, if these became mainstream.
Stewart Mitchell
I believe that sound waves will levitate and will be the future of travel
yinfu99
Driving on the ground is also unforgiving. Looking at accident statistics, I dont think flying cars would add much to the overall large counts. The point I see here is there is a lot of moving this and that part to make new things but whats really coming out of it? If you can create a device to drive a car with your mind, then why put it on an altering trike instead of a real car? if you can make flying cars, why not use gyrostabilization and vector thrust from an internal engine (no exposed props) for flight? There is moving forward with designs and then there is taking a lot of side steps ...
VoiceofReason
Yes Martin I have, but typically the rotors are ABOVE the vehicle, not arrayed in a fashion that I can drop my cell phone or an arm into.
Snatr
No matter what the form of lift, the flying will have to be done autonomously. And doubtfully very more than several lanes high.
Jay Finke
These cars have there place, street sweeper,mower,slice and dice and a great way to get dust in your eyes. Oh and a great source of noise.
offthegrid
This article wants me to believe that real world, today educated and graduated engineers actually believe this is going to come to be? How can I stop laughing. Gizmag should more stories about one wheel motorcycles and hoover cars that will no doubt be the new rave in the future. From planet "Deluded".
William H Lanteigne
These are great ideas, but for my money I'd prefer a passenger-carrying minivan that converts easily to cargo mode by having the seats fold into the floor; and that then can convert to a compact pickup truck. It doesn't have to be electric, it would be nice if it was powered by a turbodiesel.
galaxydrifter
Of course I love all of the innovative ideas here. Hover cars would be cool yet likely impractical on crowded city streets.
All of the dirt, dust and garbage flying over the bystanders. They would be more suited to open freeways and rural roads.
Just imagine 100 or so of these tailgating at 70 MPH and trying to stop at a traffic jam back up.
Also I think you should forget about any real "flying" commuter car. No way will the government ever let the common man have those on the market.
That would be a security nightmare for civilian and military properties world wide.
Fences and barricades would be obsolete over night. How safe would you feel if your enemy or any crazy nut job could take a flying car and glide right onto the runway in front of your plane as is takes off or worse drop in at the local schoolyard.
No commercial or private property would be safe from trespassing, theft or vandalism. Including sensitive high security areas like reservoirs, power plants and water sheds.
We would all have to string giant nets over our property to protect it. I realize this may be a bit extreme for examples but they are all valid point to ponder.
Thanks.