Re:Larry Page is pouring millions into flying cars
by _audakel on Saturday December 31, 2016 @12:25AM
(#13289637)
Many products (cell phones, cars, medical) started off for "the rich" and gradually became mass market. I am very surprised at how many people are not able to see a future where general purpose ground based transportation is obsolete.
Re:Larry Page is pouring millions into flying cars
by yeppers123 on Saturday December 31, 2016 @02:42AM
(#13290025)
It'll happen once the strict licensing is no longer needed. Currently the necessary training for flying is too long and expensive for most people.
Re:Larry Page is pouring millions into flying cars
by ccozan on Saturday December 31, 2016 @04:12AM
(#13290273)
And this is where the autonomous flying is coming into place: you will not fly this car at all. Software will be certified for this.
Which means:
1. wait for tesla like autonomous software that works for cars - we have for planes but this is a bit different 2. either high density batteries for electrical engines or very light weight ICE engines ( biodiesel or bio ethanol ) to be mass produced
Re:Larry Page is pouring millions into flying cars
by macspoofing on Sunday January 01, 2017 @12:36AM
(#13294811)
It's not just the flight training that's the problem. It's the expense of maintaining and certifing the vehicle, and those regulations will never be loosened.
There's probably a market for a vertical-takeoff vehicle serving a premium/luxury transportation niche - the same segment that is currently served by helicopters. I imagine you would still need a pilot's license and have to adhere to the rigorous FAA-maintenance schedule - so it would never be a mass-market product.