Car of the Future Takes First Test Flight

The phrase “Where’s my flying car?” is about to become more commonplace now, especially after two Australian companies just successfully tested the first flying vehicle.

Marking a major leap in aviation history, the world’s first flying racing car recently took its maiden flight. Under the watchful eye of Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, it was piloted remotely through the skies of the country’s southern desert.

The Alauda Airspeeder Mk3 EXA, with eight sets of rotors on four arms, clocked an airspeed of just under 100 kilometres per hour within 2.8 seconds, and with an altitude of 500 metres. It weighs 130 kilograms, and can fly up to 10-15 minutes per battery pack.

Manufactured by local companies, Alauda Aeronautics and Airspeeder, the craft is an electric vertical take-off multicopter – or eVTOL, for short. The EXA in its name designates it as part of the racing series.

Matthew Pearson, the founder of both companies, said: “We are proud to make history by introducing the world’s first racing series for flying electric cars.”

His future plans? To race more of these airspeeders in three Grand Prixs at different, yet-to-be-announced international locations later this year.

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