Airbus flying car

[mickjoebill]

From Rotor and Wing International
In respect to a flying car and bus, set for testing in 2017.

The Airbus report quoted a project executive, Rodin Lyasoff, with its A3 (or A Cubed) “Silicon Valley outpost” as saying, “Many of the technologies needed, such as batteries, motors and avionics are most of the way there.”

But Lyasoff said that to succeed the project would need reliable sense-and-avoid technology” to avert collisions with obstacles and other aircraft. “That’s one of the bigger challenges we aim to resolve as early as possible,” Lyasoff said.



If the bigger challenge is "see and avoid" that is on track to be solved in 2D motion with motor cars, so how difficult is it to apply a third dimension?

Presumably the only places left in cities where thousands of these things can affordably land is on rivers and bays?

Mickjoebill

[Photonic]

If the bigger challenge is "see and avoid" that is on track to be solved in 2D motion with motor cars, so how difficult is it to apply a third dimension?

The difficulty with the third dimension is:

1) Noise pollution in an urban or suburban environment. Have you heard what even a small electric drone sounds like? Imagine that scaled up to a people-lifter. It won't be a quiet mode of transportation.

2) Liability if it fails, which could cause more property damage and people injury than a fender bender in traffic.