Comments on: DARPA Developing a Robotic Pilot for Their Flying Car http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2010/11/09/darpa-developing-a-robotic-pilot-for-their-flying-car/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:57:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Moon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2010/11/09/darpa-developing-a-robotic-pilot-for-their-flying-car/#comment-3806 Moon Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:29:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/?p=3176#comment-3806 Flying cars have always captivated the imagination of the general public. I'm still sticking with the Moller Skycar and terrafugia Transition to be the first ones to achieve that goal. In fact i wrote a whole article about it here http://bowlofknowledge.blogspot.com/2011/08/flying-cars-of-past-present-and-future.html about flying cars Flying cars have always captivated the imagination of the general public. I’m still sticking with the Moller Skycar and terrafugia Transition to be the first ones to achieve that goal. In fact i wrote a whole article about it here http://bowlofknowledge.blogspot.com/2011/08/flying-cars-of-past-present-and-future.html about flying cars

]]> By: Ann http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2010/11/09/darpa-developing-a-robotic-pilot-for-their-flying-car/#comment-3805 Ann Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:37:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/?p=3176#comment-3805 In wartime or during natural disasters, having a vehicle such as this that could fly above obstacles would be imperative to the survival of our troops. Many people believed that planes would never fly, and look where we are today. Just because the idea seems a bit Hokey, it doesn't mean that it will not work and will not be applicable to the wars of the future, which are turning up more and more in populated metropolis areas. Will it be expensive? Of course, but research and knowledge that is gained from developing this flying car can lead to significant advancements in the civilian world in the future. Can you imagine avoiding obstacles and traffic with a flying car? In wartime or during natural disasters, having a vehicle such as this that could fly above obstacles would be imperative to the survival of our troops. Many people believed that planes would never fly, and look where we are today. Just because the idea seems a bit Hokey, it doesn’t mean that it will not work and will not be applicable to the wars of the future, which are turning up more and more in populated metropolis areas.

Will it be expensive? Of course, but research and knowledge that is gained from developing this flying car can lead to significant advancements in the civilian world in the future. Can you imagine avoiding obstacles and traffic with a flying car?

]]> By: Jockaira http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2010/11/09/darpa-developing-a-robotic-pilot-for-their-flying-car/#comment-3804 Jockaira Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:59:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/?p=3176#comment-3804 An autonomous flying Jeep is certainly possible, but the requirement for autonymity would probably make the vehicle so expensive that we would price ourselves out of the war business. What is being suggested is a poor man's version of an unarmed attack helicopter that could be flown by any normally intelligent teenager. Two factors not mentioned are active electronic defenses (expensive) and armor, which could make engine requirements also very costly (a flying Jeep makes a very easy target). I see no hope for success in this project until the autonomous part of the vehicle attains a near-sentient state that allows it to manifest an "instinct" for survival and a compassionate concern for the welfare of any passengers. The Moller Skycar would be a good place to start for a basic platform. It's already developed as a working prototype with fly-by-wire capabilities and has the required payload, range, and speed for use on the battlefield. The artwork above is obviously an aeronautical wet-dream... An autonomous flying Jeep is certainly possible, but the requirement for autonymity would probably make the vehicle so expensive that we would price ourselves out of the war business.

What is being suggested is a poor man’s version of an unarmed attack helicopter that could be flown by any normally intelligent teenager. Two factors not mentioned are active electronic defenses (expensive) and armor, which could make engine requirements also very costly (a flying Jeep makes a very easy target).

I see no hope for success in this project until the autonomous part of the vehicle attains a near-sentient state that allows it to manifest an “instinct” for survival and a compassionate concern for the welfare of any passengers.

The Moller Skycar would be a good place to start for a basic platform. It’s already developed as a working prototype with fly-by-wire capabilities and has the required payload, range, and speed for use on the battlefield.

The artwork above is obviously an aeronautical wet-dream…

]]> By: Realist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/2010/11/09/darpa-developing-a-robotic-pilot-for-their-flying-car/#comment-3803 Realist Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:19:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/sciencenotfiction/?p=3176#comment-3803 That's the single most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. How could anyone possibly believe that project will ever leave the drawing board? That’s the single most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. How could anyone possibly believe that project will ever leave the drawing board?

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