Skycar – Dream or Reality?
Dr Paul Moller has spent 5 decades trying to perfect his unexpected idea of a ‘flying car’. He believes in the future people will not travel in road cars, but in sky cars – freeing up road congestion and allowing quick commutes from greater distances.
Moller M400 Skycar
Moller’s company Moller International has been developing the M400 Skycar for many years, but has not yet released a production version to market. If and when the M400 is released, it will showcase many revolutionary features that could re-define personal transport. With an expected price tag around US$100,000 the M400 will:
- fly at up to 300 mph (~482 kmph)
- take off and land vertically (as people don’t have runways in their backyards)
- hover
- travel on roads (at least for short distances)
- be powered by renewable ethanol
- take 4 passengers
To date the M400 has performed tethered vertical take off testing, but the vehicle is still some way from a final product ready for market. The delays relate to engineering complexities and safety requirements. Vertical take off and landing is a very difficult engineering feat, which has only been achieved by a handful of expensive military aircraft. To ensure that it is safe for private use, the M400 also has built-in backup computer systems and engines which will activate if the primary systems fail. Prior to release to market the M400 must pass FAA flight certification.
Some commentators are skeptical whether this unexpected idea will ever be a reality. But in my view Dr Moller is persistently following his passion and his dream. If this tenacity does one day pay off then the Skycar will be an awesome product that could re-shape personal transport forever.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEMrgO3XxQs[/youtube]
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