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posted by on Friday April 21 2017, @08:51PM   Printer-friendly
from the 3-dimensions-to-crash-in dept.

Despite considerable concerns about the safety of flying cars, two-thirds of Americans say they would like to ride in or operate their own airborne vehicle.

A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute shows that 41 percent of adult respondents to an online survey are "very interested" in riding in a fully autonomous (self-driving and self-flying) flying car. That compares to 26 percent of those who are "very interested" in operating the aerocar themselves after obtaining an appropriate pilot license.

"Until recently, flying cars have existed primarily in the realm of science fiction, although patents for such vehicles extend to the early years of aviation," said Michael Sivak, a research professor at UMTRI. "However, recently there has been a rapid increase in interest in flying cars from companies ranging from large, international manufacturers to a variety of startups.

"In addition to major technological, traffic-control and licensing issues that still will need to be addressed, a big unknown is what consumers think of the concept of flying cars, and what the desirable parameters are for such a novel approach to mobility."

We already had flying cars in the 70's. Some of them sported the Stars and Bars, others were driven by a man named Evel.


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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by bob_super on Friday April 21 2017, @10:18PM

    by bob_super (1357) on Friday April 21 2017, @10:18PM (#497628)

    When i see the way people maintain their land cars, I sure as hell don't want any flying cars anywhere near where any of my family members live.
    I'll buy stock in my local roofers, and get a metal frame built above my house.

    BUT ... We dont' have to worry anyway. Flying cars will not happen in the US!
    Why? Simple: The chickens in Washington D.C. have a no-fly zone, and so does wherever the chicken-in-chief travels.

    if the rich and powerful can't use flying cars, and those let just about anyone jump the gates of their mansions, they won't let the rest of us have them.

    QED: Land of the free, home of the endless commute, gets no flying cars to preserve the privileged few.

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