Terrafugia Inc., the developer of the street-legal airplane Transition, released plans for a flying car called the TF-X it hopes will transform the world of transportation.
Specifically, the company has begun feasibility studies of a four-seat plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle capable of vertical take off and landing.
In addition, the company reports that in “preliminary conversations” with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the TF-X, the agency has “demonstrated their willingness to consider innovative technologies and regulatory solutions that are in the public's interest and enhance the level of safety of personal aviation.”
As to why Terrafugia would begin work on a new product even before the first has yet to reach the market, CEO and CTO Carl Dietrich said it was simply time.
“This is the right time for us to begin thinking about the future of the company beyond Transition development,” he said. “We are passionate about continuing to lead the creation of a flying car industry and we are dedicating resources to lay the foundations for our vision of personal transportation.”
Foreseen benefits to such a vehicle, according to Terrafugia, are both economic and time-related savings. In addition, Dietrich reports that the company’s vision is centered on increasing the level of safety for personal aviation.
The Transition, which is scheduled for a 2015 release, is roughly the size of compact car and features extendable wings that allow it to convert into a plane at-will.
The transition from car to plane, the manufacturers report, is comparable to putting the top down on a convertible and, as the site explains, "by being able to land and drive, not only is the 'last minute problem' solved but inclement weather will no longer stop your trip."
Meanwhile, however, Canadian police were forced to respond to their first-ever call regarding a flying car crash as a test run of prototype produced by a Florida-based company went south.
The two people aboard the vehicle were injured, though they are expected to recover.
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