Flying Cars a Step Closer to Reality

Motorists should start thinking about taking to the sky to ease congestion on the roads, as the Japanese government has lined up a committee to outline potential rules for flying cars.

Tasked with designing the standards and regulations for the future of flying vehicles, the specialist council is expected to present their recommendations in time for the start of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The think tank (composed of developers and members of Japan's ministries of transport, infrastructure, economy and tourism) is set to be brought together for the first time later this year, and will immediately begin tackling the big questions around the logistics of integrating flying cars into everyday life.

Top of the list of considerations will be limiting the effects of the noise that cars capable of vertical take-off will generate, and making sure that pedestrians on the ground are kept safe at all times.

Announcing the initiative, the chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, expressed his hopes for the use of flying cars. Easing extreme congestion is one of Japan's top priorities, as well as allowing better access to mountainous and island regions, and aiding in rescue and recovery operations during national disasters.

Until now, the lack of regulation has proved to be something of a roadblock, hindering the serious development of flying cars. With the necessary safety standards and operational regulations finally being outlined however, a surge in activity is on the cards.

With hopes that actual, genuine flying cars will be operational by 2023, the future of transport could be closer than we think.

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