Airbus Pop.Up Is Cutting-Edge Autonomous Flying Concept Car

March 10, 2017 5:00 am
(Airbus and Italdesign)
(Airbus and Italdesign)
Daniel Fortmann

 

Technology will not likely be able to eliminate traffic in the future. So Airbus created the next best thing with “Pop.Up,” its concept for a transportation system that’s a cross between a self-driving car and a flying passenger drone, Digital Trends reports.

Combining air and ground travel, the concept is centered around a pod, which sits in an autonomous vehicle frame. If passengers run into a traffic jam or need to get somewhere quickly, the pod is picked up by a drone and whisks it away to the desired destination.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this innovative transport concept, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is its ability to integrate into other means of transportation, leaving the door open for Pop.Up to sync up futuristic concepts like the pneumatic tube system, Hyperloop.

(Airbus and Italdesign)
(Airbus and Italdesign)
(Airbus and Italdesign)
(Airbus and Italdesign)

 

Designed in collaboration with Italdesign, passengers will be able to pick from a variety of transport options using an app, the design company announced.

Although Airbus still considers “Pop.Up” a concept, a demonstration for the technology is planned for later this year with hopes of bringing it to market in the next 10 years, the airline company said.

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