We’re so close to having access to self-driving cars… and that access will change our lives forever.
And now we’re getting closer to another extraordinary innovation…
An innovation that’ll have you skipping gridlock and instead cruising through the sky!
Airbus Group (OTC: EADSY) has been eagerly working towards the development of an autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) concept through its “Project Vahana.”
In September 2016, Airbus announced Project Vahana, its project that’s developing, testing, and refining a self-driving flying car prototype.
Airbus is a maker of airborne transportation vehicles like helicopters, and it’s very serious about taking its transportation vehicles a step further…
The Prototype
This prototype will be a self-flying small urban transport vehicle that’ll be made for a single passenger to travel.
The company wants to create multiple self-flying vehicles and ultimately to create a network of flying taxis where people are able to easily get a ride by using an app in the same way that people use car-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
Ideally, this way of traveling would be quicker and lighten the traffic that’s on the ground.
According to Airbus CEO Tom Enders, Airbus plans to have this prototype by the end of this year.
On January 16th, at the DLD Digital Tech conference in Munich, Tom Enders said:
If we ignore these developments, we will be pushed out of important segments of the business…
One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground.
Without a doubt, it’ll definitely take a lot of research and development before this prototype becomes reality. It’ll be even longer before you start seeing people traveling through the air in a self-flying vehicle.
However, Airbus couldn’t be more serious and dedicated about launching this concept and leading the industry of self-flying vehicles.
Realistically speaking, there’s a lot to be discussed when it comes to self-flying vehicles. There will need to be regulations set in place to ensure safety of the environment and, most importantly, individuals.
Obviously, this concept will also bring up a lot of “what if” questions and probably seem unrealistic to some people… but just think about how people felt about self-driving cars.
People were reluctant about the idea of riding in a car that you didn’t have to drive, but now it’s a concept that’s almost a reality.
And just imagine the benefits of lessening traffic on roads because of self-flying vehicles… congested roads would be a thing of the past. Governments wouldn’t have to spend money on trying to alleviate road congestion.
Not to mention it’ll save them a lot of money when it comes to maintaining infrastructure.
Less traffic on roads and bridges would mean governments wouldn’t have to spend money on inspecting and repairing these infrastructures.
How Soon?
Airbus announced that it’s expecting to be done with its first prototype by the end of 2017.
Rodin Lyasoff, CEO of Airbus’s advanced projects group, said:
The aircraft we’re building doesn’t need a runway, is self-piloted, and can automatically detect and avoid obstacles and other aircraft…
Designed to carry a single passenger or cargo, we’re aiming to make it the first certified passenger aircraft without a pilot.
Airbus is right… it can’t ignore this sector.
Right now is Airbus’s time to gain the lead in a new kind of technology that has the possibility of really taking off…
Airbus isn’t the only company that has been researching and developing its own versions of self-flying transportation.
In October 2016, Uber released its own analysis of the concept of self-flying vehicles that’s centered on vertical takeoff and landing technologies.
Also, Google’s co-founder Larry Page is working with his startup Zee.Aero on developing a plan for a flying car.
If you thought the idea of flying through the air in a self-flying vehicle would never happen in your lifetime, guess again.
Until next time,
Jennifer Clark
Pro Trader Today