STEM
STEM
The Future of Transport: OWEN BROWN How long until flying cars dominate the air?
THE AEROMOBIL 4.0
extending outward when changing modes for take-off, with the whole transition taking 3 minutes. In the area of safety, it contains pyrotechnic seatbelts, airbags, and most crucially a ballistic parachute so in the event of an in-flight failure, this can activate and guide the car to a controlled landing Nevertheless, this model poses many flaws that would have to be addressed and overcome to allow flying cars to become fully functional. One of the most restrictive aspects of AeroMobil is that it needs a 500m runway to take off, which would simply not be feasible if flying cars went mainstream, given land space and time constraints. Therefore, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) would be utterly crucial for the integration of flying cars into our society. However, this is extremely challenging due to the “rocket equation phenomenon”; to overcome the force of gravity and achieve lift, extreme amounts of thrust must be
To start, it is worth exploring the technical workings of the latest prototype, the AeroMobil 4.0,
manufactured in Slovakia. At the heart of any motorized vehicle is the engine, of which the AeroMobil boasts 2, propelling the vehicle to top speeds of 224mph in air and 100mph on the ground. For drive mode, it features a 80Kw twin electric engine, which uses brushless DC (BLDC) motors to provide torque to the wheels via an electronic differential. BLDC motors are utilized due to their high power-to-weight ratio. The electronic differential allows control systems to actively distribute power between the 2 wheels individually, contributing to better handling and stability. The other engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer, delivering 300 horsepower. The boxer is coupled to a direct-drive pitch propeller, generating the thrust needed for movement above the ground. The wings feature a collapsible structure,
Flying cars have been a hallmark of science fiction for years, gracing the screens of countless blockbuster films throughout the last few decades. As a result, they are commonly relegated solely to the realm of futuristic fantasy. However, recent technological strides have edged the notion ever closer to reality and as of November 2023, numerous advanced prototypes have undergone successful testing. Ultimately, this prompts the question; What obstacles stand in the way of flying cars becoming fully integrated into our daily lives? The potential for a vast hovercar market lies in the enormous benefits they would impart to society and individual lives. At the forefront of their impact
is the drastic reduction of travel time. With the virtually unlimited space in the air for network routes, route length could be shortened massively, saving many people valuable time. Moreover, flying cars could achieve a top speed of 200mph, rendering a journey of the same distance in a standard car limited by 70mph speeds and road regulations around 3 times faster. Surprisingly, they could also mitigate pollution; researchers at the University of Michigan estimate that over 100km, a flying car would emit 52% less emissions. this is due to the cars minimising fumes let off when stationery and idling, coupled with a reduction in fuel consumption facilitated by their ability to take more direct routes.
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