It’s been 10 years since the futuristic world of Back to the Future Part II, where ‘mad scientist’ Doc Brown took Marty McFly on a thrilling ride in a flying DeLorean. Although we’re still waiting for flying cars to become a reality, advancements in technology are bringing us closer.
Aerospace engineer Xiaosong Du from Missouri University of Science and Technology believes that the technology to make flying cars already exists. Companies like Joby have successfully flown prototypes of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, which could potentially be used as flying taxis.
A real-world flying car would likely be a hybrid of an airplane and a helicopter. To take off vertically, it would need rotating blades to generate lift. Once airborne, the airplane wings would rotate out from the body, allowing for more efficient flight. Another option is to attach propellers to the wings, which would tilt upward for takeoff and then lay flat during flight, much like a Transformer.
However, the concept of flying cars is not new. The Convair Model 118 ConvAirCar made an unsuccessful test flight in 1947. Despite advancements, significant barriers remain, including high costs and safety concerns. Alef Aeronautics plans to sell flying cars for around $300,000 each. For the average consumer, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft for flying cars may be a more feasible option.
Pat Anderson, former director of the Eagle Flight Research Center, predicts that flying Ubers could become common within the next 10 to 20 years. However, aircraft need to be tested repeatedly for safety, and regulatory frameworks need to be put in place. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken steps toward this by announcing rules on operating and piloting air taxis.
One of the significant challenges is battery efficiency. Current rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can only power a flying-car ride for 20 to 30 minutes. Researchers like Du are working to improve battery technology before flying taxis can take off.
While we’re still far from having flying cars in our daily lives, the progress being made is promising. As the technology continues to evolve and regulatory frameworks are developed, we may soon see flying taxis becoming a reality.
