Flying Closer to the Future

New technologies consistently emerge from the great minds of society, drawing us closer to our visions of the technology-dominated future where flying cars grace the sky. Nevertheless, the enormity of the invention leaves flying cars as nothing more than a figment of our collective imagination. But to the world’s surprise, a company called “The AeroMobil Company” seems to have achieved the impossible.

“The AeroMobil Company” was founded in 2010 to release the AeroMobil, their flying car, to the general public. With a prototype ready, the company ran test runs for six months to ensure reliability before finalizing the release of the AeroMobil 4.0 in 2023.

The AeroMobil 4.0 is an aerial car that contains special features that set it apart from its competitors. Featured as a three-seater, the AeroMobil 4.0 can transform between its driving and airborne state in under three minutes. It is powered by a hybrid propulsion system with an internal turbocharged combustion engine, a power system that uses various sources of propulsion and an engine that reuses the exhaust gas, resulting in high power output of 224 kW. As a result, the model boasts a top driving speed of 160 kilometers per hour and a top flying speed of 260 kilometers per hour.

To complement these high specs, the AeroMobil 4.0 is built to guarantee the safety of its pilot and passengers. Patrick Hessel, the chairman of The AeroMobil Company, highlights the company’s main priorities of aesthetics and safety for their customers. The airborne vehicle is structured with integral carbon fiber, a durable and light material, allowing the car to protect the passengers during takeoff and landing. The AeroMobil 4.0 contains an autopilot setting, along with a Ballistic Parachute System for the vehicle in case of an emergency. The Ballistic Parachute System keeps the vehicle from crashing should an issue or malfunction occur when the AeroMobil 4.0 is in flight. Based only on its performance, power, and safety features, the launch of the AeroMobil 4.0 seems to point toward a success.

Having an aerial car could solve one of the biggest frustrations on the road: traffic. We’ve all been stuck in crowded lanes that barely inch forward during daily commutes. Not only will flying to a location get you there in style, but it will also get you there on time.

The ability to switch settings allows the car to be environmentally friendly as well. It's well known that our planet is currently suffering from a climate disaster stemming from emissions, in large part from automobiles. The AeroMobil 4.0 could lead to more roads for pedestrians and bikers. With fewer cars on the roads, the government can shut down car lanes in favor of walking and bike lanes, providing the public with “greener” options.

Unfortunately, dreams of flighted commutes remain a fantasy for the foreseeable future due to how inaccessible recreational flight is to the majority of the population. Flying cars don’t come cheap, making their main audience the wealthy. Ignoring the high cost, one also needs to own both a driving and flying license to be able to use this vehicle. It's not common for people to own a flying license, shrinking the potential customer pool.

One of the biggest limitations of the AeroMobil 4.0 is the possibility of malfunction. Due to the fact that flying cars are relatively new inventions, many are still concerned about their true safety capabilities and are hesitant to use them upon early release. After all, a malfunction could be fatal should the car break down or the driver lose control of it. The good news, though, is that these limitations can easily be overcome, and the AeroMobil 4.0 will likely not be released without thorough testing on the manufacturer’s end.

The release of the AeroMobil 4.0 at the beginning of next year will bring us one step closer to the future. However, with the benefits and drawbacks of the AeroMobil 4.0, it might be a while before flying cars become mainstream. Even so, this is a huge step toward a futuristic society we’ve been dreaming of for generations.