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The Transition, a flying car prototype developed by US-based, China-owned Terrafugia. Photo: Handout
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When cars fly? Japan wants airborne vehicles to take off

The government has launched an initiative with the likes of Boeing and Airbus to develop and commercialise futuristic vehicles

Technology
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
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It might sound like pie in the sky, but Japan’s government is banking on a future with flying cars, launching an initiative Wednesday with the private sector to develop futuristic vehicles.

The initiative aims to draw up a road map by the end of the year on commercialising flying cars, a concept that so far remains largely theoretical.

Japanese government officials are partnering with companies including Boeing and Airbus, as well as major Japanese firms like All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, NEC and Toyota-backed Cartivator.

World's first flying car, a two-seater Pal-V Liberty, on track for 2020 launch

“(Flying cars) are expected to solve issues of transport in remote islands or mountainous areas, or rescue operations and goods transport in disaster,” trade ministry official Shinji Tokumasu said.

“We launched the public-private meeting to cultivate a new industry and make it profitable in the world market.”

In Japan, a group of engineers working with the Cartivator project are already developing a three-wheeled car that relies on drone technology to take flight.
Transport-firm executives attend a government-led meeting on developing flying cars and airborne vehicles in Tokyo on August 29, 2018. Photo: AFP

Toyota and affiliated companies have invested about 42.5 million yen (US$382,000) in the project.

Cartivator is hoping to launch a manned prototype by the end of 2019 so it can be used to light the Olympic flame when Japan’s capital Tokyo hosts the Games in 2020.

The manned vehicle, dubbed SkyDrive, will have four sets of propellers and be just 2.9 metres (9.5 feet) long and 1.3 metres wide.

Flying car start-up, backed by Google founder Larry Page, starts offering test flights

But Japan is not alone in the flying-car marketplace.

Companies researching the sector include Uber, the Kitty Hawk project backed by Google founder Larry Page, Lilium Aviation in Germany, Safran in France, and Honeywell in the United States.

Last month, British engine maker Rolls-Royce revealed plans to develop a hybrid electric vehicle, dubbed the “flying taxi”, while Kitty Hawk in June offered test flights to people interested in buying its vehicle.

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