Japan Panel on Flying Cars Holds 1st Meeting

August 30, 2018

Tokyo- A Japanese public-private panel held its first meeting on Wednesday, discussing how to realize flying cars, now attracting attention as a future transportation means.

The panel, launched by the industry ministry, plans to compile by year-end a roadmap on time frames for developing necessary technologies and preparing relevant regulations.

At the day's meeting, some private-sector participants called on the Japanese government to work closely with U.S. aviation authorities as the compilation of air traffic regulations for flying cars are being considered in the United States.

One participant said that flying cars would play an important role in emergency transportation in times of natural disasters.

Flying cars are electrified airborne vehicles capable of vertical takeoff and landing. They are expected to be used in urban areas and remote islands in the future.

To realize flying cars, the development of lightweight and high-performance batteries and motors, and the establishment of rules to ensure safety and air traffic control systems are essential.

Races to develop flying cars have already started in the United States, Europe and China.

Members of the panel include officials from the industry ministry, the transport ministry, the government-affiliated Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, major U.S. ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc. and Cartivator, a flying car development group supported by leading Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. Jiji Press