Most of us grew up with animated shows and movies that always portrayed some of the most futuristic inventions ever. Never in our wildest dreams could we have predicted that some of these inventions would become more than mere science fiction. For instance, the first flying car in history took to the skies, and it will be commercially expanding in Europe, but will unfortunately be skipping the UK. It is a shame, as we could already imagine these futuristic cars zooming past Buckingham Palace!
Changing the future of travel
The world is committed to transitioning to more sustainable solutions regarding energy, technology and travel. Conventional travel, such as aeroplanes and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, is a major contributor to global warming due to its significant carbon emissions. Besides its negative impact on the environment, it also has other disadvantages.
According to a YouTube video by IvyPanda Study Hub, conventional travel has the following additional disadvantages:
- Time-consuming
- Travel by air can take up significant time, especially considering strict schedules
- Travel by road can become lengthy in areas with significant congestion
- Higher costs
- Fuel for ICE cars is expensive
- Air travel, especially when last-minute, can be expensive
The abovementioned factors also result in a lack of flexibility. Now, the future of travel will never be the same again, as the first flying car in history takes to the skies!
First flying car in history takes to the skies
The aeronautics startup company, called Jetson, has made one of our wildest dreams come true. The company is behind the first commercially available flying car, which is known as the Jetson One electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL). The first buyer of this historic aircraft is the American entrepreneur and VR developer Palmer Luckey.
Flying cars like the Jetson One are the start of a new era in sustainable air travel. According to a report by The Cool Down, the world can look forward to the following specs:
- Nearly soundless air travel
- No emissions
- Speeds of up to 102 km/h
- Lightweight
- Eight electrical motors powered by removable batteries
- Full, casual flights of nearly 20 minutes
- Auto land function
- Multiple safety features
A UK-based company is behind the development of the world’s first ‘skyport’ in history, which will host VTOLs. Unfortunately, just like commercial sales of the Jetson One will be skipping the UK for now, so will the skyports. But will the UK see these futuristic flying cars soon?
It will be expanding in Europe but skipping the UK
Jetson has been focusing its operations in California, but will be expanding to Europe, specifically Sweden and Italy. According to a report by DroneXL, the company has enough eVTOL orders to last until 2027. While there has been no confirmation for expansion to the UK, the idea is not completely off the table, and Britons might be flying around sometime in the future.
The company already sold out its 2024 and 2025 productions, and the next deliveries will be made again in 2026. Luckey purchased the first Jetson One, which is part of the exclusive “Founders Edition” models, for approximately £96,078.72. As these eVTOLs gain popularity, the need for road infrastructure and gas-based cars could significantly decrease, changing the future of travel.
While history has been made in the skies, the future of travel will change once again after the first-in-history ‘continental subway’ has been unveiled. This prospective subway will allow travellers to commute between continents in record time compared to conventional air travel. This makes us wonder, with all these futuristic breakthroughs in mobility, will conventional air travel truly become a thing of the past? We guess only time will tell.
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