Members Bonoman Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 A "flying saucer" that glides three metres above the ground and carries two people has gone into commerical production. US company Moller International has begun to manufacture parts for its Jetsons-like personal flying pod, the M200G Volantor. The M200G is the size of a small car and is designed to take off and land vertically. Company founder Dr Paul Moller calls the craft "the ultimate off-road vehicle" as it is able to travel over any surface. "It's not a hovercraft, although its operation is just as easy," said the aeronautical engineering boffin. "You can speed over rocks, swampland, fences, or log-infested waterways with ease because you're not limited by the surface." The craft was inspired by The JetsonsThe flying saucer is designed to fly at an altitude of up to three metres, where it benefits from extra lift created by a cushion of air - known as ground effect. This allows the M200G to glide over terrain at 50mph, powered by eight of the company's Rotapower rotary engines. Moller International has not arranged for training or licensing requirements to operate the vehicle. But it is prepared to offer demonstration sessions at its California base once the vehicle is ready for market. The company has said the price for its M200G could start as low as
Members allan grossman Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 I think I did this before on another forum, but... ...Suddenly ahead of meAcross the mountainsideA gleaming alloy air-carShoots towards me, two lanes wide.I spin around with shrieking tiresTo run the deadly raceGo screaming through the valleyAs another joins the chase...
Members Rowka Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 Their video demo has really bad music.
Members B-Bottom Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 most people can't drive a car. I can only imagine if they were all floating around in these things
Members WillPlay4food Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 I was wondering if the Moller Car would ever get off the ground. I think his earlier model was built to take off and land at airports and actually fly at a decent altitude.
Members Death Hands Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 The Future Is Now... Awesome StarCraft mod.
Members L-1329 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 I was wondering if the Moller Car would ever get off the ground. I think his earlier model was built to take off and land at airports and actually fly at a decent altitude. It was, and it had four engines, each driving a ducted fan nacelle. Problem is that if one quite it would almost certainly ensure death. Let's ride!
Members lug Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 It's too wide to ever be used on a standard road plus it looks like it uses 90% of it's energy to just keep aloft.
Members allan grossman Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 most people can't drive a car. I can only imagine if they were all floating around in these things The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a poll back in 2005. 68% of drivers surveyed about their driving skills said they were either 'better than average' or 'much better than average'.
Members lug Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a poll back in 2005. 68% of drivers surveyed about their driving skills said they were either 'better than average' or 'much better than average'. I think bass players would do about the same. I, for one, have not fooled myself.
Members WillPlay4food Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 It was, and it had four engines, each driving a ducted fan nacelle. Problem is that if one quite it would almost certainly ensure death. Let's ride! Yea, I look at the constant repairs I'm doing to my HobbyZone Super Cub and realize I'm not ready(!) to fly a vehicle yet. At least, I wouldn't want to be in a plane I was flying. I (mostly) have the flying down, it's the landing without cartwheeling I haven't figured out yet.
Members misterhinkydink Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 I'd rather have one of these. They have turn signals you can use in the pattern and a horn you can honk at seagulls.
Members Bonoman Posted August 3, 2007 Author Members Posted August 3, 2007 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a poll back in 2005. 68% of drivers surveyed about their driving skills said they were either 'better than average' or 'much better than average'. Yeah, but if 'average' is horrible, then what are these people really saying? We drive a little bit better than horribly? Not to mention the math (or maybe that was your point): If 68% of drivers are better than average, then aren't they just average?
Members Funkee1 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 most people can't drive a car. I can only imagine if they were all floating around in these thingsOn the contrary! I could have avoided my last accident if UP had been an option!
Members ModmanQ6 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 Not too difficult to fly around when you're suspended on the end of a crane...
Members burdizzos Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 I wonder what the 60-0 braking distance is on that POS. Also, I don't think it would survive a 5 mph rear impact. B-Bottom, on the other hand...
Members lug Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 Airscooter II ultralite copter Much more pratical, no license required. You can go out and kill yourself legally!
Members Undead Sycip Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 Oooh ahhh... but what's the carbon footprint? This is not the future. Anything that uses that much energy just to carry two people is a throwback to the muscle car days of excess.
Members Apendecto Posted August 4, 2007 Members Posted August 4, 2007 Not too difficult to fly around when you're suspended on the end of a crane... Yeah, what's up with that? Yo.
Members bassist31588 Posted August 5, 2007 Members Posted August 5, 2007 I'd rather have someone hook a jetpack up to me.
Members lug Posted August 6, 2007 Members Posted August 6, 2007 I'd rather have someone hook a jetpack up to me. Jetpack? here ya go. http://www.jetpackinternational.com/video/JETPACK2007.wmv
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