The future of transportation might rest on automated vehicles, but that hasn’t stopped Austria-based AeroMobil from dreaming bigger. Drive? Traffic sucks. I’d rather fly, thanks.
The company this week unveiled the AeroMobil 3.0, a Transformers-like vehicle that’s been 25 years in the making. Depending on your preference, the two-seater vehicle can either drive or fly, changing its form (in seconds, according to AeroMobil) right before your eyes thanks to its collapsible wing design. Both configurations look pretty awesome, and just as we’d expect a car/plane hybrid from the future to look like.
Below is a descriptions straight from AeroMobil:
AeroMobil is a flying car that perfectly makes use of existing infrastructure created for automobiles and planes, and opens doors to real door-to-door travel. As a car it fits into any standard parking space, uses regular gasoline, and can be used in road traffic just like any other car.
AeroMobil says when it’s in plane mode, AeroMobil 3.0 can use any airport in the world, and only needs a take off surface just a few hundred meters long. The model you see above is still in the advanced testing stages, so you can’t get your hands on your own just yet. But, judging by the video, the final stretch seem just around the corner.
The vehicle itself is made of advanced composite material, a variable angle of attack of the wings, avionics equipment and a parachute deployment system—you know, just in case you do need to bail mid-flight. The vehicle can get a top speed of 124 mph in plane mode (100 mph in car) and has a range up to 540 miles when driving. It has an overall wingspan of 27-feet, and it’s 19.7 feet long.
While commuters might be chomping at the bit for something like the AeroMobil 3.0, the company’s goal is actually to cater to developing markets where there is “minimal infrastructure like roads, highways, or airports.” When thought of in that context, it makes a lot of sense. I mean, seeing your boss fly off into the sunset with the AeroMobil 3.0 always seemed unlikely.
If you do pick up an AeroMobil when it becomes available, I can only imagine the look of the valet attendant’s face when you pull up.
No pricing or availability was announced.
