Flying cars are almost here. Aeromobil, a startup in Slovakia, in Europe, has showcased the commercial design for a flying car at an expo in Monaco. It is now available for preorders at 1.2 to 1.5 million euros (approx $1.28 - $1.6 million).
The company stated that the preliminary round of deliveries for the AeroMobil Flying Car are expected by 2020. Also, the company aims to produce 500 units of the vehicle available for commercial ownership while complying with air and road regulations.
According to Stefan Vadocz, CCO, in order to fly, the vehicle need to take off from an airfield or approved space. Further, Operators need to have both driving and pilot license.
It's also not clear whether the audience will accept the concept of flying cars basing on several safety concerns. But governments continue to impose regulations for related technologies especially like self-driving cars and drones.
The flying car of AeroMobil can fly both on road and hit the skies, in contrast to Uber and Zee.Aero. Most companies are pursuing VTOL (Vertical Take-Off Landing) aircrafts, which allows the aircraft to take off vertically without the need of runway, but not meant to be driven.
Highlights of AeroMobil's flying car:
- Pre-orders are accepted, but production is limited to 500 units.
- The ultimate goal is to launch a version of the vehicle in future that shares mobility service, Juraj Vaculik, CEO of AeroMobil says.
- The vehicle can fly up to 750km (466 miles) and reach a top speed of 360kph (223 mph) while in the air.
- Owners need to have pilot license to operate the vehicle in Europe and access to runway when they want to fly.
- The vehicle is permitted to operate in Europe, but AeroMobil plans to release it in the U.S, Douglas MacAndrew, CTO, says.
- As the clearance is achieved to operate in the U.S, AeroMobil will pursue to introduce in China.
- Terrafugia, a startup from MIT is accepting reservations for its Transition flying car. Owners have the legal permission to operate the vehicle if they have Sports Pilot License, indicating the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given clearance for this model of vehicles.
"The aircraft regulation for both the US and Europe are very very similar indeed," CTO says.
"Within months of being able to sell the vehicle in Europe we will also be able to sell it in the US market."
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