How much longer do I have to wait for flying cars?

Question

How much longer do I have to wait for flying cars?

Answer 1

Maybe not much longer. A British engineer called Roger Shawyer claims to have developed a mechanism for converting electrical power directly into thrust using waveguides, with no hot exhaust gases or downdraft to worry about. A vehicle using an engine based on his principles would quite literally hover as if by magic. His paper is here, though it is a little technical of course:



http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/av/shawyertheory.pdf



He has actually built one of these devices and tested it experimentally, though it only produces small amounts of thrust. His next step is to try to create superconductive wave cavities that have zero loss, which will increase the output thrust quite dramatically.



Don't be too surprised if he gets killed in a mysterious accident before completing his work, mind. He's going to upset a lot of very powerful people if he succeeds.



But good luck to him. Hovercars could be a reality in our lifetimes.

Answer 2

The Skycar



Moller International has developed the first and only feasible, personally affordable, personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle the world has ever seen.



You've always known it was just a matter of time before the world demanded some kind of flying machine which would replace the automobile. Of course, this machine would have to be capable of VTOL, be easy to maintain, cost effective and reliable. Well, we at Moller International believe we have come up with the solution. That solution is the volantor named M400 Skycar.



Let's compare the M400 Skycar with what's available now, the automobile. Take the most technologically advanced automobile, the Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, Lamborgini, or the more affordable Acura, Accord, or the like. It seems like all of the manufacturers of these cars are touting the new and greatly improved "aerodynamics" of their cars. Those in the aerospace industry have been dealing with aerodynamics from the start. In the auto industry they boast of aerodynamics, performance tuned wide track suspensions, electronic ignition and fuel injection systems, computer controllers, and the list goes on. What good does all this "advanced engineering" do for you when the speed limit is around 60 MPH and you are stuck on crowded freeways anyway

Answer 3

the rest of your life. The technology may be somewhat feasible, but our economy will never be able to support it.



That doens't even count the fact that the world will start relying a lot LESS on the cars we already have on the ground as fossil fuels start to deplete. We don't have the fuel to support regular cars, we certainly won't have any to support flying cars.



You might want to set your sights on living somewhere where mass transit is electrified, and accessible. Light rail is the future, not flying cars.

Answer 4

Flying cars have been around since the late 30's



There's a more modern version around at the moment (see 2nd link)

Answer 5

About 30 more years.

Answer 6

No problem, there are a lot of cars flying now in Iraq, they fly with explosives.

Only read the news.

Answer 7

They can be made now with ducted fans as propulsion. The only trouble with ducted fans is that they are LOUD! Concorde at takeoff loud. If you would like one to transport you to work from home you will get a noise abatement order slapped on you like lightning. Not to mention an ASBO.

Answer 8

The answer is the same now as it was 50 years ago: about 20 years or so.



"We're all living in the future.

I'll tell you how I know:

I read it in the paprers

Fifteen years ago.

We're all driving rocket ships

And talking with our minds,

Wearing torquoise jewelry

And standing in soup lines."

-John Prine

Answer 9

Where do you live ?



I used mine just last night to run my errands. Maybe your country just doesn't have them yet. They should have them by Christmas, because that's when they sell the best. Although Santa brought me mine a couple of years ago.



Go talk to him in the mall in December.

Answer 10

um that was just a movie. even if science was able to make a flying car it would be used in the military and they wouldn't allow us civilians to know. +

Answer 11

Probably sooner than you think. Imagine the gasps of amazement that must have happened when the first cars appeared, and the worried look of Railway Directors.

Answer 12

You can see it today! Just go to your nearest 100 foot cliff, back the car up about 500 feet , facing the cliff, then floor it lol

Answer 13

If you mean for general use, I think for ever. They would have to be commercially viable for one thing. And the problem of air traffic control would rule out large enough numbers to interest manufacturers.

Answer 14

Not on the market yet (and has been threatening for years, so don't hold your breath), but someone is trying quite hard - check out the link.



P.S. Nice breasts!

Answer 15

Cars wont fly in the future, at least not when you are alive.

Answer 16

Aren't there enough accident in two dimensions of travel? Think what it would be like with three.

Answer 17

I'm still waiting for a decent hoverboard.. surely that should come first :o)

Answer 18

Next week

Answer 19

Try a helicopter as it can fly and take passangers.

Answer 20

When SUVs roll over, they're airborne

Answer 21

They are called aeroplane's dear,you just need a pilots licence.

cheers

Answer 22

hey i jus purchased 1 from the NASA bout a week back....i can let it out for rent to u maybe...itll cost u 800$/5 mins.... it consumes a lotta fuel......so i shld become rich....or atleast thought so in my dreams..

Answer 23

you should probably freeze yourself. we'll have someone from the future wake you up when it happens.

Answer 24

there out next spring

Answer 25

Why wait, be the one to invent it.

Answer 26

We already have them on my home planet!

Answer 27

never gonna happen in this lifetime. in fact, it might never happen.

Answer 28

Dunno, but I bet Richard Hammond wishes thet were here and now!

Answer 29

No Richard Hammond jokes please.