Everyday travel has evolved over the course of human history. From the chariot to the modern SUV, humans crossing long distances on ground have opted for some form of wheel-driven vehicle. Since the 1900s and the invention of the aircraft, there have been some who use personal planes to travel regularly. Unfortunately, most of us do not yet have access to such aircraft. However, this may be changing within the next decade. Alef, an aeronautics startup out of California, recently announced in October 2022 their plans for affordable personal flying vehicles by 2030. According to their website, potential buyers can pay $150 to join a general queue and $1500 for the priority queue.
Alef has designed a vehicle that would be able to be both driven as well as flown. Currently, it is designed to be able to “hop,” allowing the occupant the travel advantage of avoiding road-bound obstacles. The car would take off vertically, fly over the obstacles, then land again on a road to continue ground travel. However, Alef is just one of a number of companies working on vehicles like this. As the years move forward, it is likely that many more will spring up, so to speak. These will also likely involve vehicles that solely rely on air travel.
Some may be hesitant to hear of the possibility of personal air travel as an everyday occurrence, while others may be ecstatic about the notion. Personally, this feels like the next obvious step in the evolution of travel and that excites me. While I understand the fear that may come with flying cars, there is an onslaught of questions brewing in questioning minds: Will it be safe? Can others be trusted? How will this affect us on a broader scale? These are valid concerns to consider. This has all been done before, however. With each new life-changing technological shift, people spook. There was once a time when the idea of moving at 70 mph with others around you with their own individual control was terrifying. Now we do it every time we travel on the freeway. With every major leap in technology over the decades, we have adapted. The same will be true if indeed this is the future.
Are we ready for flying cars right now? No. The necessary legislature, infrastructure, and technology improvements needed for this to really become a reality will take just as long, if not longer, than the expected eight years. When it comes to large-impact changes like this, nationwide growth takes time and money. However, this may be normal by the time the next generation is learning to “drive.” Think of it. 20 years ago, our parents were barely aware of the possibility of a future where the internet was accessible from a small screen in our pockets anywhere, all the time. Now, we don't give it a second thought. Remember how, when we were young, we were told cursive was going to be our main writing style? Typing was barely being taught and we were lucky to have computers in our homes. Now we hardly, if ever, write anything longer than a sentence down. One day in the future, we might casually fly into work, as if that is what we have done all our lives. Our children and grandchildren may never need to learn how to drive.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.