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I think the major physics problem that is very hard to fiddle, if you want to achieve the popular sci-fi version of VTOL flying cars aerodynamically, is the req

I think the major physics problem that is very hard to fiddle, if you want to achieve the popular sci-fi version of VTOL flying cars aerodynamically, is the requirement that the cross sectional area of downthrust air fits roughly inside something approaching a car's plan view while still having room for occupants and luggage. Purely to hover such a thing, never mind ascend at a reasonable rate, requires airjets that will blow pedestrians cheerfully across a street.

JKCalhoun 7y ago
Never mind the energy needed to consume to do so. I'm curmudgeony, I say the future is powered bicycles.
- hanniabu 7y ago
  Hell yeah, bicycles with nice thrusters and wings that automatically extend out from drag at certain so that you can glide and coast a bit!
- benj111 7y ago
  Motorbikes? Or electric bikes? I must say I'm not that bullish (on bikes and electric bikes). Shopping, hills, rain, children all combine to mean they can't really do 100% of journeys. And human nature will ensure that that big expensive chunk of metal gets used as much as possible to make it worth the cost. Of course our car powered present doesn't involve 100% car transport so you could still be right, and it's still worth aiming for. Ps, if that counts as curmudgeonly I certainly have no hope, now get of my lawn.
  - adrianN 7y ago
    Something like the PodRide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lKq1fGtXFM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lKq1fGtXFM, perhaps a little bit bigger.
    - benj111 7y ago
      Why did you select the ugliest velomobile to illustrate your point??? I suppose what you're imagining is somewhere between a bike and a car, one step below a Kei car type concept. Yes it does have advantages, you are starting to lose advantages that a bike has, and introduce disadvantages that a car has, so it isn't a free lunch. I had the idea for a speed limited car (30mph ish) some time ago, you could radically reduce weight etc, but the problem is the car crashing into you isn't going to be speed or weight limited, you also do nothing to address the issues of space that cars take up.
  - corodra 7y ago
    Theres a Pysch episode where the main character talks about why he has a motorcycle. So he doesn't have to give rides to people. Move furniture. Pick up kids. Etc. He was also a pretty lonely guy. But he said he'd sell it and get a car if the chick he was crushing on in the show, goes out with him. Kind of proves your point. Bikes in general are awesome. But they're not entirely useful. Cool. But not practical for the masses. But you wont see builders, painters, electricians or plumbers give up their work vans to haul stuff on bikes. No matter how much they would want to. Or people with kids.
- inflatableDodo 7y ago
  Pedal-powered quadrocopters are obviously the way to go - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJq10EQkog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJq10EQkog

JKCalhoun 7y ago

Never mind the energy needed to consume to do so. I'm curmudgeony, I say the future is powered bicycles.

hanniabu 7y ago
Hell yeah, bicycles with nice thrusters and wings that automatically extend out from drag at certain so that you can glide and coast a bit!
benj111 7y ago
Motorbikes? Or electric bikes? I must say I'm not that bullish (on bikes and electric bikes). Shopping, hills, rain, children all combine to mean they can't really do 100% of journeys. And human nature will ensure that that big expensive chunk of metal gets used as much as possible to make it worth the cost. Of course our car powered present doesn't involve 100% car transport so you could still be right, and it's still worth aiming for. Ps, if that counts as curmudgeonly I certainly have no hope, now get of my lawn.
- adrianN 7y ago
  Something like the PodRide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lKq1fGtXFM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lKq1fGtXFM, perhaps a little bit bigger.
  - benj111 7y ago
    Why did you select the ugliest velomobile to illustrate your point??? I suppose what you're imagining is somewhere between a bike and a car, one step below a Kei car type concept. Yes it does have advantages, you are starting to lose advantages that a bike has, and introduce disadvantages that a car has, so it isn't a free lunch. I had the idea for a speed limited car (30mph ish) some time ago, you could radically reduce weight etc, but the problem is the car crashing into you isn't going to be speed or weight limited, you also do nothing to address the issues of space that cars take up.
- corodra 7y ago
  Theres a Pysch episode where the main character talks about why he has a motorcycle. So he doesn't have to give rides to people. Move furniture. Pick up kids. Etc. He was also a pretty lonely guy. But he said he'd sell it and get a car if the chick he was crushing on in the show, goes out with him. Kind of proves your point. Bikes in general are awesome. But they're not entirely useful. Cool. But not practical for the masses. But you wont see builders, painters, electricians or plumbers give up their work vans to haul stuff on bikes. No matter how much they would want to. Or people with kids.
inflatableDodo 7y ago
Pedal-powered quadrocopters are obviously the way to go - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJq10EQkog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJq10EQkog