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Subaru has come full circle in the last hundred years, starting as an aircraft research company in 1915 and after decades as a global vehicle manufacturer, may be delving back into the world of aviation with a recently unveiled flying car concept.
Subaru Corporation unveiled new concept models on Oct. 25 at the Japan Mobility Show and one was the SUBARU AIR MOBILITY Concept. This is Subaru's contribution to an expanding world of electric aviation and automation technology. The concept represents the future of freedom in mobility and engineers from both the aerospace and automotive divisions are working on the flight demonstrations. The flying car features a futuristic design and has been described by some news outlets as a large drone.
The concept features six rotor blades surrounding a twin-seat cockpit. A source at Subaru confirmed to Forbes that the vehicle will be fully electric and can takeoff and land in any space, but other details like range and flying time are still under wraps. Online opinions were mixed on the design and the actuality that this concept would become a reality.
"I guess every automaker is going to show a flying car-type thing at some point. It's like a right of passage, like having your first kiss or drinking turpentine," The Autopian said. "At best, these things are eternally two years away, making steady progress into an ever-fleeting future we never seem to be able to reach, running Red Queen-style, forever."
While the aircraft is strictly a concept, for now, there are other companies around the world in a close race to introduce the first real flying car to the world. On Nov. 10, Samson Sky shared the footage of the Switchblade prototype's first official flight. The car flew to 500 feet and then over the countryside for nearly six minutes. The Samson Switchblade flying car made several design changes in 2023, including changing the steering of the front wheel and lightening the prototype. With the flight milestone, Samson Sky will use the data collected to finalize production engineering and build other production prototypes.
On July 2 ASKA announced that its ASKA A5 prototype was awarded a Certificate of Authorization and Special Airworthiness Certification by the FAA and with it, had begun flight testing. The company has been performing ground testing since 2022 and began on-street driving tests in 2023. Alef Aeronautics also announced it had been awarded a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA. Alef had become among the first to receive legal approval to fly. There are numerous flying car companies, some developing two-seaters and other full, multi-passenger aircraft. Each company is progressing with testing and nearing or achieving certification, bringing us one step closer to flying cars.RELATED STORIES:Samson Sky Switchblade flying car takes first official flightOne step closer to flying cars - ASKA, Alef progress with FAA type certification
Japan is among the numerous countries preparing for the integration of next-generation aircraft and vehicles by introducing new legislation ahead of the introduction. According to Forbes, Japan is one of several countries allowing these flying to start operating in limited areas by 2026. Another Japanese flying car maker, SkyDrive, plans to begin limited operations in 2026, according to Forbes. Whether this concept becomes a prototype is unknown, but the futuristic idea of a flying car is here to stay, with a winner nearing the finish line.
"In the world of aviation, where electrification and automation technologies are advancing, there are growing expectations for new air mobility that will bring about an ‘air mobility revolution,'" Subaru said. "SUBARU AIR MOBILITY Concept expresses the future of ‘more freedom in mobility' that Subaru envisions. Engineers from the aerospace and automotive divisions are currently working together on flight demonstrations."