Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn
    SnapMunk
    • Startups
    • Crowdfunding
    • Industry Insights
    • Startup Directory
    • Newsletters
    SnapMunk
    Home»Industry Insights»Airbus Says They’ll Have A Flying Car By Year’s End
    Vahana large
    Industry Insights

    Airbus Says They’ll Have A Flying Car By Year’s End

    Michael ChindamoBy Michael ChindamoJanuary 17, 2017Updated:January 17, 20175 Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

    It’s interesting to see various major companies zero in on similar ideas. We previously talked about Arconic’s Jetsons plan, which listed the prediction that things would keep heading skyward; larger and larger skyscrapers with the job of not only hosting space, but cleaning our air. Apparently, Airbus, appendage of the multinational aerospace and defense behemoth from Holland, has a similar outlook. However, in anticipation of taller and taller buildings, they are looking at newer forms of transport and Airbus wouldn’t be Airbus if they didn’t first consider something that could fly. That flying something is a flying car.

    Urban Air Mobility

    The big initiative from Airbus is Urban Air Mobility, a self-driving flying car for ride-sharing. Essentially, a much more terrifying Uber ride for people who hate stoplights. We’ve certainly heard about plans for flying cars, but here’s the kicker with this one: CEO of Airbus, Tom Enders, is looking to have a full and proper prototype by the year’s end. This announcement left a lot of journalists skeptical considering that the long history of flying cars has been an unsuccessful one with limited entries occasionally making little more than slow news.

    Here’s another kicker: the prototype is planned to accommodate a single rider. Airbus is already looking to partner with Uber for on-demand helicopter rides. And all of this is only one part of a much larger project they are working on with their division known as A^3.

    What is A^3?

    A^3  is the “Silicon Valley outpost of the Airbus Group,” as their website puts it. They’re essentially the division of Airbus Group that is overseeing and designing these new developments such as Project Vahana, the project name for Urban Air Mobility. They’re currently devoted to developing fully autonomous flight for one or more passengers as an on-demand service for major cities.

    The goal is to provide an alternate means of transport to combat the time lost in densely populated cities due to traffic gridlock and other grounded impediments we all know all too well. They believe that full implementation within ten years is a reasonable goal; “Many of the technologies needed, such as batteries, motors and avionics are most of the way there,” according to Rodin Lyasoff CEO of A^3.

    The Barrier

    No major city in the world, however, allows drones to traverse their city without a remote pilot, leaving A^3 in a proof of concept phase. They’re proceeding through this phase with the National University of Singapore, who is allowing them to develop a parcel delivery service that they eventually intend to market to Amazon rather than compete with the retailer’s drone services.

    A^3 and Airbus as a whole believe that this is the logical next step for public transport and that they face incoming competition from the likes of Elon Musk and e-volo. Hence their rush to have a working prototype. Airbus certainly has the financial capacity and corporate history to allow for this sort of development. However, if they want to progress at the speed they’ve outlined, they may need to acquire smaller startup businesses who are already rapidly developing elements of the technology they need before their competition.

    Personally, I can’t wait for all the test failure footage on YouTube. That’s going to be one hell of a fun ride.

    Michael Chindamo
    • Website

    MANAGING EDITOR, SnapMunk Mike Is a GTA Local Technology and Geek Interest Writer Having Worked in the Field for Nearly Ten Years as a Contributing Writer and Editor for Various Publications in Fashion, Entertainment, Gaming and News. Since Then He’s Offered a Variety of Opinions on Things and Then Moves on to the Next Bit of News That Interested Him. He Has Remained Properly Unfashionable Since 1987 and Plans to Stay That Way.

    Related Posts

    Why the Last, Shittiest Ever Black Mirror Episode Is Definitely Its Best Ever Episode

    June 13, 2019

    Apple September 2018 Event: iPhone XS, XS Max, and More

    September 13, 2018

    Apple September 2018 Event: What’s in Store

    September 11, 2018

    Self-Driving Technology Set to Tackle Deliveries and Last-Mile Logistics

    February 27, 2018
    TOP POSTS

    Beyond Bonjour: Mastering Languages for a World Without Borders

    March 26, 2024

    Speak Like a Boss: Mastering Languages for Startup Success

    March 26, 2024

    Save Money While Going Green With Arcadia Power

    July 25, 2019

    3 Compelling Reasons Why Your Tech Startup Needs A .TECH Domain

    June 21, 2019

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    SnapMunk is dedicated to providing readers with all things interesting, exciting and entertaining in the world of tech news, startup companies and startup culture.

    We're social. Connect with us:

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn
    TOP INSIGHTS

    Beyond Bonjour: Mastering Languages for a World Without Borders

    March 26, 2024

    Speak Like a Boss: Mastering Languages for Startup Success

    March 26, 2024

    Save Money While Going Green With Arcadia Power

    July 25, 2019
    GET INFORMED

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
    • Home
    • Startups
    • Crowdfunding
    • Industry Insights
    • Startup Directory
    © 2025 SnapMunk. Designed by SnapMunk.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.