Future of Transportation Is Up in Air

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Flying cars could reduce congestion on highways and city streets.

"Flying cars are coming," says Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and innovation. Rankin is also a faculty member of the electrical engineering department, and he has more than 35 years of experience in avionics research and design. He recently shared his expertise on a panel at the Digital Avionics Systems Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The panel, which was called "Flying Cars: Have the Jetsons Arrived?," also featured panelists from Uber and Lockheed Martin. Rankin and the other experts discussed the benefits and challenges of this type of transportation.

Rankin explained that flying cars would solve the problem of congested roads. According to current plans for flying car systems, commuters would use traditional transportation methods to travel a short distance to a flying car station, where they would board a flying car that would take them to another station near their destination.

Rankin and graduate student Sara Ghayouraneh have been investigating the policy and technical issues raised by cars that fly. For example, where would flying cars fit into the current system of air traffic management? Would they be regulated like drones, or like aircraft, or would there be a third set of regulations for this new technology? What kinds of electronics would be needed in the car and in the flight control location in order to ensure that these cars are safe and efficient means of transportation?

Flying cars would be more than just a fun futuristic way to get around. They have the potential to revolutionize the way we live and travel, but we need the expertise of engineers like Rankin to make sure we are ready for them.