It might seem like an idea right out of a science fiction movie, but soon you could be flying your way to the office without having to get stuck in traffic jams. European Union (EU) has taken up a project called myCopter which aims to achieve just that. The project aims to study the possibility of introducing Personal Aerial Vehicles (PAV) in the skies over major European cities. Apart from studying the prospects of “flying cars” in everyday travel, the project would also undertake studies into the various challenges that could be faced in the future if such a mode of transportation is introduced on a large scale.
Initially, the project aims to introduce PAVs and PATS (Personal Air Transport Systems) which would fly at an altitude of less than 2000 feet and could be used for only short distance travel. The reason for flying below 2000 feet is that it would not hamper the flow of normal air traffic and would not require the assistance of a ground based air traffic control.
Another good thing about this project is that it would lessen the amount of carbon emission since these could well be fully electric vehicles. It has been estimated by the myCopter team that the crafts would be able to travel for about 20 km on battery power alone. The entire cost of the project has been estimated to be around €4.2 million ($6.2 million) and would be developed under the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7) for research and development. The initial part of the study would be finished in about four years.
But not everything is so hunky-dory about the concept. As with any new project, tremendous challenges and roadblocks still remain. A lot of new technologies would have to be invented if this project has to be successful. Apart from technological challenges, researchers would also have to address the issues relating to aerospace legislation, security and planning of spaces for take offs, landings as well as parking of the crafts. Currently, there are no plans to build a prototype vehicle, but simulators would be built by the year 2014.
Via: Gizmag