Beats road traffic any day.
As the world progresses towards electric vehicles and flying cars, a team of researchers from the Washington State University is working with ZEVA Aero, a Tacoma-based start up to test different components to create a single passenger, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
It’s interesting to note that ZEVA Aero has already completed a functional prototype of a very futuristic looking eVTOL vehicle which has been assigned to use by first responders and emergency services before the general public. The prototype is capable of flying at 160 mph for up to 50 miles (80km). When it takes off from the ground, it hovers just like a helicopter and then tilts horizontally to fly more efficiently like a plane. This enables it to take advantage of the reduced drag and travel at faster speed as compared to other eVTOL vehicles.
The researchers are assisting in modeling and testing of the aircraft’s propulsion system and its aerodynamic configuration to optimize the vehicle’s thrust and controls. This is the most important challenge while building personal flying machines as there needs to be enough thrust to lift the person off the ground. After that’s accomplished, there’s not much that stands between the person and the open sky.
You must be eager to get your own personal flying vehicle but don’t get your hopes up just yet. And it wont be just one person in the air, it will be dozens so of course there needs to be a proper procedure to follow so they don’t crash into each other. According to John Swenson, associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, we’ll se these vehicles “sooner rather than later.”
With every other start-up working on their own version of a hoverbike or flying car, it won’t be long till we’ll see a future similar to the Jetson’s!