SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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.
(Score: 2) by requerdanos on Friday April 21 2017, @11:06PM
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
The other one-third of surveyed Americans probably remembered what poor drivers their peers are, and were horrified at the thought not of having their own flying car, but at the idiots at large on the roads having them.
For the record, I am not in favor of them; same reason.
If they could be limited to people who actually have been tested and found to consistently be good and knowledgeable "flying car drivers," and not just random idiots who scraped up a few (hundred|thousand) bucks for a car and $20 for the DMV "test" that is the current standard for the non-flying variety, then I would probably change my mind.