Answer: Because it's a stupid idea. Exhibit A: The Pinto with wings featured in this video.
For the uninitiated, this is the second installment in BMW's series on the future of mobility, one of those catch phrases we hear at every auto show that's inevitably connected with some futuristic concept pod of some kind. There's some interesting points made here, but once again, most of it is just the usual "things sure will be different soon" fluff.
Anyone have any better, slightly more plausible ideas of what we'll be driving in 20 years?
93aero says:
10:03 AM, 02/ 8/11
Because if you have to go to college for 4 years to be a pilot, you shouldn't be able to take a test in 15 min and be done with it! lol This would certainly complicate things, also, the last thing we need are idiot drivers.....flying.
mrryte says:
11:32 AM, 02/ 8/11
I say let's just keep cars on the ground and continue to make them more efficient. We don't need vehicles flying, diving, hovering or thinking lest they becomes like HAL 9000......
csubowtie says:
11:40 AM, 02/ 8/11
Yep, people can hardly drive in 2 dimensions anymore, and many have difficulty working simple things like the card swipe pad at the checkout. So until we advance technology to the point of eliminating the need for human interference flying cars would only serve to signifigantly reduce the population (maybe not a bad thing?).
pchang7 says:
11:50 AM, 02/ 8/11
Because fuel for anything that flies is about a 1000 times more expensive than the 93 petrol we're using for our cars. Are these guys serious? Wow, I just lost a little respect for BMW.
pchang7 says:
11:54 AM, 02/ 8/11
There is a higher probability that future vehicles will use electromagnetic fields for charging and movement than spaceships. There are a lot of weird things that happen at the quantum level that scientists just haven't figured out yet. Properties are known for specialized fields, but now is the time where all those fields can come together (nanotech).
There are unique ways to measure current in high voltage equipment without making any contact...maybe they're on to something. The only problem with all this is, is that the infrastructure needs changing but we know that's not happening any time soon. We have cable companies still using old technology (coaxial), to overcharge us with, and they're not complaining.