The future of flying cars: science fact or science fiction?

And what we also want is an easy way to create underground garages, under every house, so all those without parking or garages on narrow streets has somewhere to put the vehicle of the future.... :D
 
Speaking as a ex air traffic controller, and Sci Fi enthusiast, flying cars will never be a reality. Some individual ones sure for the rich and famous and powerful, but we already have that now. I predict instead that there will be a automated tube system. Easier to build and regulate with existing buildings without the fear of tons of metal falling from the sky.
 
Talos said:
Speaking as a ex air traffic controller, and Sci Fi enthusiast, flying cars will never be a reality. Some individual ones sure for the rich and famous and powerful, but we already have that now. I predict instead that there will be a automated tube system. Easier to build and regulate with existing buildings without the fear of tons of metal falling from the sky.
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Futurama-style? :)

 
I read the other day that private cars may no longer exist by 2030, instead you just summon a self driving car as and when you need one. To be honest I just can't see people voluntarily giving up their cars and using a computerised taxi service instead.
 
Vladd67 said:
I read the other day that private cars may no longer exist by 2030, instead you just summon a self driving car as and when you need one. To be honest I just can't see people voluntarily giving up their cars and using a computerised taxi service instead.
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a surveillance state's wet dream....
 
Vladd67 said:
instead you just summon a self driving car as and when you need one.
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How often are these cars' interiors cleaned? And if they are self-driving -- and so like a taxi, but with no cabbie -- who is to know if their interiors are in a fit state for the next occupant?

Just imagine wanting to set out, early in the morning, on a longish journey to a business meeting or an interview for a job. Just imagine that the last "fare" had been a group of people leaving a club in the early hours, much the worse for wear. Do you have to request the vehicle early, so that there's time to arrange a replacement (assuming the next one is fit to use)? Or do you grin and bear it and take what arrives?

"So do you always drink alcohol with your breakfast?" asks one of the people in the meeting/interview at your destination (because you left no time to request a replacement car). "Or do you only do it before important meetings?"

Note: The smell of alcohol may be the least of your problems.... :eek:
 
And on the flip side of taking your cat to the vet and it wees, as some cats do......and you didn't put enough newspaper in its cage, or it just plain sticks its bum against the bars and lets fly...

I'm all for being able to have an automated traffic system - and I think it should not let you on the road if your insurance and MoT are out of date - but less convinced by communal cars.
My sustainable living side says "yes! communal cars!"
But my general living side says "two hours to arrive, no service in rural areas, other people's rubbish, you making a mess of it yourself, etc" It would also put taxi drivers out of work - and some people like to take a taxi, especially elderly and infirm as you have someone to help you into the car and carry your bags.

And I do wonder how many cars you'd need in a system so that people can all get to where they want on time - so not sure how much of a sustainable saving there would be in terms of numbers of cars if the system was funded to be nearly as convenient as owning your own. (But that is also an argument for teleworking..... again. :) )

Mind you, it might be that an automated driving system will have limits - as in book your going to work in your own car slot in good time, because there may be no gaps when you get up in the morning.

Further thought on cleanliness - well there are those one person public toilets that can go through a wash cycle every time the toilet is used. You'd have to build cars not to be nice and cushioned and full of soft fabric, but hard plastic and automated washes. And then you'd have comedy sketches not about taking your car through the car wash, but you getting into the automated car and the wash cycle goes off.....
 
If it's controlled by Uber, it does what it wants to do with regular taxis...



...drives them off the road....
​
 
Some bits fly off my car at times. Little fractions of my dream leaving me behind. :barefoot:
 
I was in an accident last week. Doing 70 mph in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and hit in the rear by a smaller car doing 90. The Jeep did a 360.

Now you want idiots in the air?

Maybe only computer pilots. That might be easier to regulate via software.

psik
 
psikeyhackr said:
I was in an accident last week. Doing 70 mph in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and hit in the rear by a smaller car doing 90. The Jeep did a 360.

Now you want idiots in the air?

Maybe only computer pilots. That might be easier to regulate via software.

psik
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exactly this ^^^ we've enough problems driving on one plane. Imagine, if you will, the lunacy of adding a second plane
 
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