Just like in the Jetstones, people in the future will be flying. In fact, Airbus has launched a division in their company called the Urban Air Mobility last 2016 to explore the possibility of self-flying vehicles.
Airbus revealed its plans for a fleet of self-flying taxis called Vahana or City Air Bus to help curb traffic ingestion in cities. A prototype will be launched by the end of the year.
The Daily Mail UK quoted Airbus CEO Tom Enders as saying, "One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground." He further added that "We are in an experimentation phase, we take this development very seriously."
Not only would these self-flying fleets ease traffic, but the probability of helping passengers to have a smooth travel or clean air pollution is highly seen by the company. Allocated costs for building infrastructures would drop as the cars won't need bridges and roads.
A3 Chief Executive Rodin Lyasoff told CNN, "The aircraft we're building doesn't need a runway, is self-piloted, and can automatically detect and avoid obstacles and other aircraft." He noted that he wished to see the pilot product by 2017 and the first sale on 2020.
"If we ignore these developments, we will be pushed out of important segments of the business," Enders said. The company has published an artist's rendition of the project which looked similarly to a helicopter that has a compartment beneath for another passenger to ride on.
Airbus shelved off $150 million to fund the project and seeks investments which could boost the development of the flying vehicle. Another aspect which Airbus has seen is the safety concern and the pilot's handling of the air craft.
Also to CNN, they said that a "sense and avoid" technology will get to be deployed to prevent midair collisions. A parachute would also be attached in case the flying vehicle malfunctions.
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