Flying car no longer science fiction

Do you know the movie The Fifth Element (1997)? The movie is set in the 23rd century and the fate of the Earth is in the hands of Korben Dallas, played by Bruce Willis. If you have seen the movie, you probably remember that Dallas travels around in a flying taxi.

What do you know? We probably won't have to wait two hundred years for the flying car to become a reality. In fact, Aircraft manufacturer Airbus wants to test a flying car this year! Will we soon have to collectively exchange our driver's license for a pilot's license?

It probably won't go that fast, but according to CEO Tom Enders of Airbus, the flying car is a feasible concept and certainly not a publicity stunt. He sees it as a solution to the traffic jam problem, especially in large cities. It turns out that the recently opened A2 tunnel in Maastricht has been for nothing!

The prototype that Airbus hopes to demonstrate by the end of this year will be a one-seater, which can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. If it is up to the manufacturer, the flying car will be ready for the market in four years. Yes, you read that right: four years!

Airbus isn't the only one with plans for a flying car. The American Terrafugia is working on a 'roadable aircraft'. Their first model The Transition can now be reserved online!

The incredibly wealthy Larry Page, co-founder of Google, is also working on a flying car under the name Zee. Page is said to be one step ahead of Airbus, because two prototypes have already made test flights.

Below is a video about 4 cars that are already flying:

I read a report last week that Dubai will be using single-person drones as taxis for the first time this coming summer. You can read the message here.

Another message from last week: Dutch company PAL-V announces a production version of their first flying car. You can already reserve the first order…

Whoever comes first to market with it, an (affordable) flying car would have far-reaching consequences for the way we travel and for our urban landscape. How do you navigate? Or does a flying car 'drive' completely autonomously? Questions, questions, questions. Only time will tell.

Update December 2017: I read this article about flying cars which are currently current: Are flying cars coming to the skies?

What do you think: is it realistic to think that we will see the first flying cars on our streets in four years? And do you see yourself flying in such a vehicle, or do you prefer to keep both feet on the ground? Do you want to rent a car in the Stein region, just on the road? That's possible at Adrem!