Will Flying Cars Ever Become Reality?

So far, flying cars exist only in movies like The Fifth Element and books like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. They seem so far-fetched that one might think flying cars could never make the transition from fiction to real life. However, some experts think that the technology is actually closer than you might think. So the next time you’re stuck in a traffic jam, go ahead and fantasize about driving through the open air.

The Runway Dilemma

One of the challenges of building a flying car and making it mainstream is the fact that it might need a runway to take off and land. Imagine a typical neighborhood in suburbia. Now picture the landscape dotted with miles of private runways. The space constraint is a major issue. One way to get around that is by incorporating vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technologies into the car. VTOL is already in use in helicopters. It’s even been used for one innovative plane—the Harrier, which can indeed lift off just like a chopper without the need for rotor blades. It remains to be seen if a VTOL design similar to what’s used in the Harrier could transfer to a flying car.

The Potential Hazards

One reason why fully autonomous vehicles have been slow to become mainstream is because there are so many hurdles to deal with. Engineers need to figure out how to make the cars reliably avoid many different hazards, like pedestrians, curbs, and utility poles. That’s why some experts think flying cars may actually be easier to design than fully autonomous vehicles. Once you gain altitude, you don’t have to worry about pedestrians. However, it should be noted that flying cars would still have to avoid power lines, drones, and other aircraft.

Xcel Delivery Services stays ahead of our competitors by continually investing in the latest technologies and innovations. While flying cars aren’t in our fleet just yet, we do have a dedicated fleet of vehicles that are ready to tackle your shipments. If you have any questions or if you’d like to request a quote for your shipment, you can reach our office in Phoenix at (602) 368-1300.

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