Be the future we need, not Back to the Future

Mar 14, 2017 10:03 AM

Rverence

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Be the future we need, not Back to the Future

Edited in link as I only expected about 10 people to read this : http://uk.businessinsider.com/ford-isnt-working-on-flying-cars-but-the-idea-isnt-crazy-2017-3?r=US&IR=T
Gisted - The chairman added that flying cars would require automation (as a caveat) but at this moment Ford aren't interested in flying cars

The key is automation. If flying cars are EVER going to be considered. They will be using self-driving technology. But that's still an "if."

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

We already have flying cars in production, they're called helicopters.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Stop trying to make flying cars and try making hover cars instead.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Well they are not wrong.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Guys: think of the insurance costs. Through the roof.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Agreed, there are enough people who can't even handle 2d properly. XXL quad drones like that would be an awesome "get me my car" service tho

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Invests millions in flying car technology, doesn't use it. http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/093/953/c5b.jpg

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I love the idea but I am glad that we don't have flying cars yet when I see what my fellow drivers do on the road and the red light runners

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I totally agree with the spokesman; people do NOT need flying cars. Also, they need to be inspected prior to EVERY flight.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, he's got a point there.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We want energy efficiency, yet we want flying cars...

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Whenever people bring up flying cars, this is the first thought I have. People are already dumb enough on the ground.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That's why he's the CEO. He Knows things.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If we have flying cars it will be entirely automated until you're back on the ground. No effin way they're gonna let people just fly around

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Imagine all of the "air rage" issues!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We will have soly self-driving cars before we have legal flying cars.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

No truer words...

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Stickler here. Most people drive pretty well. Even toothless rednecks drive as well as most. The minority are just REALLY easy to spot.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Re: the Ford chairman comment, if most people can't drive in 2 dimensions, then why is Ford building cars? 1 of 2

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The success of private aircraft pilots make a mockery of his opinion. 2 of 2

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Got hit from behind is bad enough, think about got hit from other direction like... below.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Is this a copy and pasted Pornhub comment ? ;)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

There would have to be a lot of automation, like the craft can fly only at X altitude and on Y coordinates - you know, air highways. 1/

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

As for the drunk-flyer part, craft can be equipped with devices that prevent ignition if BAC is over a certain limit.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

NASA is creating an automated Air Traffic Control system for drones. That tech can be applied here, certainly.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

ya, lets make all the flying cars be as close as possible to each other.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've always said flying cars are a horrible idea. Imagine letting the jerk who cut you off this morning have one.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I am for flying cars as fully automated drones. Let the jerk have his flying car he can't do anything once the computer takes over.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

people said this when we transitioned to cars from horses. and yet here we are.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We have flying cars. They're called planes and they're really really hard to drive (safely).

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Have you flown before? Not hard at all. A little more complicated maybe, but I wouldn't really say hard.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah got about 150 hours. You're right, not hard, I'm just imagining a world where some of the antics on the road are allowed in the sky.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Also, flying cars are stupid. They will be, definitely, less efficient and noisier than normal ones.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

And more energy consuming as well.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

"less efficient"... "more energy consuming"...

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"time efficiency"

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Well, you can be less efficient in other ways that just energy ;)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

100% of people can't drive in two dimensions. Literally.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 1

I chortled.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I guess google and tesla will be making the first flying cars then.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

I agree with Fords stance, let Google/Tesla take the risk ,r&d cost & enter the market if it makes financial sense

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

right..but...we are developong selfdriving cars at the moment...justa thought

9 years ago | Likes 50 Dislikes 6

That was actually his point. They're working on automated cars.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He continues that flying cars will need automation but Ford isn't currently interested in flying cars

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

True, we could limit the car driving to self driving for flying and regular driving on the ground.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

It's a lot easier to autopilot in 2D, too.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

easier with nothing blocking though. just follow the roads for the most part make extra "airbridges" over rives and such.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Read a book where a malfunctioning self-driving car crash was the plot device.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

automated cars will also have owners who don't give a crap about maintenance. meaning falling cars everywhere still.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

WE already don't give a shit. Cars look after themselves these days. Top up a few fluids, air pressure in tyres and you're good to go.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Flying & automated cars require a trust in humanity to maintain as you say, both answers to questions we shouldn't ask

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Can't you automate maintenance? Like...car needs oil change and it drives itself to get it done when you are asleep or something...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Since automation is coming anyway, is the fuel cost to keep aloft justified by the lack of road maintenance?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

not at all:) it might be justified by reducing taffic blocks especially if run by GOV or corporations as taxis

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Good idea. You arrive in your car > auto dock > select destination > auto flight > delivered > you go on with your car.

9 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 1

At least until the bloatware in the car computer chokes up the memory space, leaving you with 5 locations to travel to.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ever had a computer where everything stops working for a bit, while it's paging memory to make space for a new operation. (coyote sign)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

No but I've frozen my phone after having 30 apps open for 10 days. Does that count?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Sure.. just joking about your car flying along when, then :) http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/wile.jpg

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Consumer-available, fully-automated self-driving cars are likely still a few years away -- self-flying is much, much more complex.

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

you can buy several legal self driving cars now. also planes have auto-pilot and auto-land

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It is indeed, for humans. Planes are already on full auto. I guess it will be just like taking the bus/train but with your own vehicle.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Self-flying is finickier, and if you get it wrong you die, but much less COMPLICATED than self-driving. No stoplights or one-way streets.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A flying car with a drunk driver is an unguided missile.

9 years ago | Likes 295 Dislikes 0

You mean a rocket?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

So a rocket?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No, its a drunk missile.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As long as its level 5 autonomous, it doesn't really matter.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Sounds like we need missile guidance systems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bby5pOVZJ0

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

forget fire and forget, its forget and fire

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's a little guided, like drunk advice, it's a misguided missle

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

and a road vehicle with a drunk driver is an unguided land rocket.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Precisely.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Require a breathalyzer for all flying cars? I know, i know, "civil liberties", you say. I say i dont want to get murdered by a DD. 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 2

Or require a pilots liscence to purchase a flying car?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You think its hard to fool a breathalyzer? Safer to just wait to auto driving/flying takes over

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Psh, i aint gonna let no computer drive any hunk of metal that im in!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

You don't fly in airplanes then?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Shhhh.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Plus side is that dying by flying car would be much cooler than dying by regular car. 2/2

9 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 3

It would be a great tale to tell down the pub ...if you weren't dead :)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Free cremation.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"Plus side is that dying by motor vehicle would be much cooler than dying by horse and buggy." ~Some guy circa 1879

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Well he's not wrong. Can you imagine the world where a slight fender bender ends in a 1000 foot fall and a fiery crash that kills everyone?

9 years ago | Likes 943 Dislikes 3

I can imagine that. I'm also smiling.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

EVERYONE.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We should be thinking of using flying cars at low altitudes, and to alleviate traffic congestion. 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I wish.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You mean a plane crash?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

worth it.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We live in that world. it's just that the fall is 35,000 feet and there are hundreds of "everyone" on each aircraft.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes, I can. And I would prefer not to have that.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They should make the screening stricter and get surveillance data on how the driver behaves. Or better yet, driverless.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This and the OP has been my argument for a long time now.(Exact words with driving in 3D.) And the most common breakdown: running out of gas

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't know why that thought put a smile on my face. I didn't know I could still smile, thank you

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Maybe the fly up to a certain altitude and then go over some kind of safety-net path. 2/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Technically speaking, cars also move in three dimensions unless if they're on a perfectly level surface.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You got me on that hill.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Would give Darwin a run for his money

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is why you need self-driving vehicles FIRST

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

that way we control population growth AND get rid of bad drivers, win-win

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

That's not as likely because in all reality humans shouldn't be the designated operators of those vehicles when they're flying, 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You'll need to have predesignated flight paths, with autonomous control by the vehicle following a predesigned route.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Or the fact many people are selfish as fuck and drink and drive. We don't need drunk assholes in the sky too

9 years ago | Likes 32 Dislikes 1

well, arguably there's drunk assholes in the sky already, if first class of delta flights is any indication

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I think the air flight is on auto pilot and I don't think anyone in their right mind would sell everyone a flying car and let them drive it.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

How about running out of gas? Or a slight malfunction? Imagine if instead of having to pull over it meant a nosedive or emergency landing.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

People cant maintain there own cars let alone a helicopter car. It has to always be 110% no fucking around. Plus no one can afford it.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

in theory, you should be able to auto gyro a quad-rotor copter... I don't expect most people I share the road with to know that though...

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

An autogyro, though, is about as close to an idiot-proof flying car you can get. If it stalls... You just... drift down.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A quadcopter is really isn't stable enough for that. There's no real force keeping it upright except constant powered corrections

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's also a lot harder to hit someone up there. Training would need to be much higher than current needed for license though.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

When you say a "a lot harder to hit someone up there", you're right ,we will need to increase the standard of anti-aircraft gun training ;)

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Most people replying to this are guilty of the same type of thinking as Khan in the Wrath of Khan... thinking two dimensionally. 1 of ?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

There exist "highways in the sky" with thousands of vehicles on them, and each lane of travel is one way and at different altitudes. 2 of ?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That exists for commercial flights and is at a certain minimum altitude and higher. Private aircraft fly at lower altitudes, but in a 3 of ?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

fashion. "Flying cars" would operate in the same manner but probably at lower levels down to the ground. No fender benders because 4 of ?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

traffic in any particular direction will not intersect traffic going in opposite our cross directions. Besides, most of you seem to 5 of ?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Damn you, you've given Steven Seagal another film script ;)

9 years ago | Likes 240 Dislikes 2

@StevenSeagal

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

More Michael Bay, I think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxgkXxa9c3s

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fender Man

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Comrade Seagal won't see it for a while, so we're safe for now.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

steven seagull in.. The Flock

9 years ago | Likes 64 Dislikes 0

Featuring V.Putin

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

*reads script* "mine, mine, mine."

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Time's running out, and he has no flocks to give. Coming this summer.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

:) give that man a round of applause

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Better not... He's already round enough!

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Mmm ,it might have to be a flying truck then ;)

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I've been flying cars for like 35 years

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Assuming you are a pilot this reminds me of people claiming drones that can carry a passenger is something new as well....

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've been practice martial arts for like 86 years

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

you 2 should make a movie

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We're quoting comedian Tom Segura who has a incredible bit about Segal

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0