The idea of flying cars has captured the imagination of inventors, sci-fi writers, and the general public for over a century. With recent advancements in electric propulsion, artificial intelligence, sensors, and the Internet of Things (IoT), consumer flying cars finally seem within reach. But can IoT really enable practical flying cars by 2024? Let’s take a deep dive into the possibilities.
What Are Flying Cars and How Would They Work?
Flying cars, also known as air taxis or eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles), differ from airplanes in their ability to take off and land vertically like helicopters. They also have the capacity to drive like cars on roads.
Most designs envision a fully electric aircraft with multiple rotors that tilt from vertical to horizontal flight configurations. They would likely be autonomous or piloted remotely to avoid the need for passengers to have pilot training. Some companies are focusing on two passenger models, while others aim for vehicles that can transport four or more people.
Key components needed to make flying cars a reality include:
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Electric propulsion – Lighter and more efficient than combustion engines, electric motors provide the clean power needed for vertical flight. Battery tech limits range for now.
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Automation & sensors – Self-flying eliminates the need for trained pilots. Sensors detect obstacles and enable navigation.
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Connectivity – Constant data exchange via IoT networks lets vehicles communicate with each other and ground control.
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Artificial intelligence – AI makes split-second flight adjustments and charts optimal routes to save energy and avoid congestion.
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Materials – Lightweight carbon fiber materials enable flying car designs with greater range and efficiency.
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Regulatory framework – Safety standards, traffic management systems, and insurance protocols need development.
How Might IoT Enable Flying Cars by 2024?
The key role IoT networks could play is providing the rapid flow of data needed for drones and air taxis to operate safely at scale. Here are some of the critical capabilities IoT could enable:
Real-Time Position Tracking
IoT connections allow flying vehicles to continuously share location data with other aircraft and ground control systems. This enables deconfliction and separation to prevent collisions.
Obstacle Mapping
Using IoT-connected sensors, flying cars can map surrounding obstacles and terrain in real-time, allowing them to chart safe paths and land safely.
Congestion Management
IoT networks allow traffic management systems to monitor hundreds of aircraft simultaneously. This enables dynamic routing around congested areas to prevent gridlock.
Fleet Coordination
IoT enables flying car services to coordinate entire fleets, ensuring smooth pickups, routing, and recharging of vehicles.
Enhanced Autonomy
By combining location data, sensor inputs, and AI via IoT connections, flying cars can make smart real-time decisions to improve safety and efficiency.
Rapid Software Updates
New flight algorithms and aeronautical updates can propagate across entire fleets of flying cars via IoT networks instantly.
What Are the Hurdles to Clear?
While IoT looks poised to enable the core connectivity flying cars need, experts say there are still significant hurdles to clear before we see them zooming above cities.
Battery Density Issues
Current battery technology severely limits the range and flight times of electric aircraft. Until batteries improve substantially, flying cars may not find widespread adoption.
Infrastructure Needs
New takeoff and landing infrastructure will need to be built on rooftops and other locations around cities to service flying cars. This will require substantial investment.
Air Traffic Management
Safely managing hundreds of low-altitude aircraft will require new air traffic control systems and protocols vastly more complex than what we have today for standard airplanes.
Regulations
Aviation regulators will need to overhaul aircraft certification and airspace rules to enable large numbers of new flying car designs and services to operate over populated areas.
Public Acceptance
It may take a cultural shift for the public to accept having swarms of aircraft constantly overhead despite low noise designs. Safety concerns will need to be addressed.
Verdict: Don’t Count on Flying Cars by 2024
While IoT networks look set to provide the connectivity backbone that flying cars will need, substantial work across battery density, infrastructure, air traffic management, regulations, and public acceptance is still needed before flying taxis become a practical reality. Technological and regulatory hurdles suggest widespread operation of flying cars by 2024 is unlikely.
Initial limited deployments may begin in the 2024-2025 timeframe. But dreams of open-air highways full of flying cars zooming over major cities are still years away. IoT will be a key enabler, but more innovation across all facets of flying car development is needed for this futuristic mode of transportation to truly take off.
