When I was a kid, I thought by the time we got to about 2015 we'd have robot best friends, flying cars and I would be able to teleport.
So, naturally, since 2015, my life has been nothing but disappointment. Until now, because the first flying car has just successfully taken its maiden flight. How cool is this? Shall we get one?
Lilium, who developed the jet-propelled vehicle, has promised it will revolutionise how we travel, allowing passengers to commute long-distances quickly. IN THE SKY.
Credit: Lilium
The Lilium Jet can travel at 186mph (300kmph) and is powered by an electric battery. It takes off and lands like a helicopter, vertically, and most importantly, it's futuristic as fuck.
The prototype has enough room for two people, but there are plans to make a five-seater; Lilium will be linking the flying car up with an app, so a bit like Uber but it can fly.
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The company claims that, eventually, the flying cars will be
able to take people from Manhattan to JFK Airport, New York, in five minutes
and for just $6 (£4.70). The same journey by taxi would take 55 minutes
and cost a not so little $73 (£57.05).
The maiden voyage took place in Munich. Lilium believe it's the ideal vehicle for city travel, because it needs very little space to take off and land in and, of course, there is much less traffic in the air, so it also completes a journey around five times faster. The company reckons this means people can live five times further away from work, but I think it means we can go out drinking in places that are five times further away. Each to their own, I guess.
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Welcome to the future. Credit: Lilium
If the thought of flying cars is getting you excited, then you may be pleased to know that several other companies are also working on their own versions. Uber is set to launch airborne passenger drones, which will also feature vertical take-off and landing.
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Exciting times.
Featured Image Credit: LiliumTopics: Uber