Lily Huynh
In 1977, a local Ohio newspaper asked middle schoolers to predict what they thought would happen by the year 2000. By 2026, many of their predictions had come true: they predicted that women could become astronauts, that we would have robot assistants and that we would have flying cars. One of those predictions seemed unrealistic just a few weeks ago, but now we can’t say that we’ll start going to the gym once cars fly.
On Oct. 15 in McGregor, Texas, Tesla and SpaceX unveiled what it described as the first-ever flying car: the Tesla Roadster. But before anyone gets too excited about flying over I-10 traffic, think again. While the concept may seem exciting, flying cars should remain just that: a concept.
Flying cars may sound like the next big step in technological innovation, but just because we have the technology to make something possible doesn’t mean we should.
Between the safety risks of putting everyday drivers in the sky, Tesla’s history of ambitious promises and whether flying cars would actually solve any of our transportation problems, this futuristic dream seems to bring more complications than benefits.
The reality of flying cars
Sitting in Houston traffic leaves plenty of time to daydream, and I would be lying if I said I hadn’t imagined how amazing it would be for my car to grow wings and fly past the seemingly endless line of cars.
But now, instead of imagining how convenient flying cars could be, I find myself thinking about the horrifying logistics of making them a reality.
People already struggle to follow basic traffic laws. Between distracted drivers, speeding and people who seem to forget turn signals exist, it’s hard to imagine how those same behaviors would translate to the sky.
After all, nobody would feel comfortable knowing their airplane pilot was distracted while flying, so why should we trust everyday drivers with that same responsibility?
Introducing flying cars would also mean creating an entirely new transportation system in the sky. Roads already rely on traffic lights, designated lanes, intersections and countless regulations to keep drivers safe. Bringing cars into the air would require similar systems, along with new rules to prevent midair collisions.
And when accidents inevitably happen, what happens to the debris? One second, you could be walking to class, and the next, you’re dodging someone’s front bumper falling from the sky. If we already struggle to manage traffic on the ground, adding another layer of transportation above us could create more problems than it solves.
Tesla’s history of delays
Beyond safety concerns, another reason to question the future of flying cars is Tesla’s history of making ambitious promises.
Tesla is known for its industry-changing innovations, from popularizing electric vehicles to advancing self-driving technology. However, the company has also announced products that face years of delays or come with price tags out of reach for the average consumer.
In 2020, Tesla announced plans for an affordable electric vehicle priced at $25,000, with an expected release in 2023. However, the company eventually abandoned plans for the conventional model because, according to Elon Musk, Tesla just had too much on its plate.
Now, Tesla is accepting reservations for its next-generation Roadster, with the Founders Series version requiring a $250,000 upfront payment. However, paying that much doesn’t guarantee customers will receive their vehicles anytime soon, if at all.
A reservation essentially secures a place in line for a car that hasn’t entered production yet. Tesla originally announced the Roadster in 2017, with production expected in 2020. Nearly a decade later, the company still hasn’t delivered it. At what point does an impressive technological advancement become another expensive promise that consumers are expected to wait years for?
For decades, flying cars have represented the future people dreamed of, but maybe some ideas are better left in science fiction. Technological advancements are impressive, but innovation should make our lives easier, not introduce an entirely new set of problems.
As much as I would love to fly over Houston traffic, I’d rather improve the transportation systems we already have than spend years waiting for an expensive car that may never take off.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
