Research

Are flying cars in our future? Perhaps so. Several companies have developed flying car prototypes in recent years and while some of these projects may seem fanciful, others are at an advanced stage, and some may even be marketed shortly. In fact, one of the companies involved in this race announced their marketing for 2011.

Here is a brief overview.

Xplorair - A French Project
The project is currently on the drawing board only. It has been designed by Michel Aguilar, who creates a new propulsion system that allows a vehicle to take off and land vertically. Dassault Systèmes and EADS should invest in his research.

Transition® de Terrafugia - One of the Most Promising
The American company, Terrafugia, is well placed to market the first flying car in history. The Transition Roadable Aircraft would need only 30 seconds to make the plane/car transition, and it is capable of both flying and riding. The manufacturer expects last authorizations and approvals for going into production as early as 2011. Its selling price would be $195,000 (approximately 162,000 Euros).

The Moller International M400X Skycar Volantor
The Moller project has also been under development for several years. The first tests of their prototype date back to 2003. The uniqueness of this project is the ability for the vehicle to take off and land vertically (VTOL Vertical Take Off and Landing technology).

And Why Not a Flying Motorcycle?
The Switchblade has been imagined by Samson Motorworks, a company based in North Carolina (United States) and they hope this vehicle is on the road next year. The company’s website even lets you pass a pre-command by paying a deposit of $2000! Not really a car but not really a motorcycle, this is indeed a tricycle.

My Polk colleague, Greg Hathaway, posed the question, "How do you beat the traffic?" in his recent blog entry. I think these new flying cars might be one possible solution. Get ready to re-apply for your driver's license!

Posted by Léonce Doussaud, Business Analyst, R. L. Polk France, Europe Operations (06.07.2010)