At Last, Flying Cars? 194
ColdWetDog writes, "OK, we've all whined about the fact that we are now firmly entrenched in the 21st Century and no flying cars. So it is gratifying to see that our good friends at DARPA are finally going to do something about it." The project is called Transformer TX. "The Government's envisioned concept consists of a robust ground vehicle that is capable of configuring into a VTOL air vehicle with a maximum payload capability of approximately 1,000 lbs. ... Technologies of interest may include: hybrid electric drive, advanced batteries, adaptive wing structures, ducted fan propulsion systems, advanced lightweight heavy fuel engines, lightweight materials, advanced sensors, and flight controls for stable transition from vertical to horizontal flight. ... Like all DARPA projects Transformer TX is unlikely to succeed at all. Even if US Marine rifle companies one day do ride to war in handy four-man sky jeeps rather than cumbersome choppers or Humvees, that doesn't necessarily mean flying cars for all any more than Harriers or Ospreys did."
flying robotic overlords (Score:3, Funny)
I for one welcome our Autobot overlords.
Damn typical (Score:3, Funny)
Finally the thing shows up and only the military can play with it.
Too Heavy? (Score:5, Funny)
'... a VTOL air vehicle with a maximum payload capability of approximately 1,000 lbs?.'
So a typical US family of four won't be able to acheive lift-off in it!
Re:Cool. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Keep this off the streets (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Keep this off the streets (Score:4, Funny)
The difference is that there's less to hit if you can't stop:
"Sorry, Boss, I had to go to Vegas, it's a Toyota flyer."
There goes the old saying out the window ---- (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Wife Acceptance Factor (Score:5, Funny)
I do? I'll go check again. This will be great!
"No, honey, I didn't order the four GE turbofan engines that just showed up on the UPS dock. That wasn't me at all, that was DARPA!"
On second thought, maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea.. "So, just who is this Darpa chick? How did she get your credit card?" I'd be in a heap of trouble.
Re:Cool. (Score:3, Funny)
"The Flying Car" by Kevin Smith [youtube.com]
Re:Cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, add violation to the charges against us when the robots rise against us.
Re:I haven't... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:flying robotic overlords (Score:5, Funny)
I for one welcome our Autobot overlords.
Autobots don't fly, Decepticons do. Thus, we're doomed.
Re:flying robotic overlords (Score:3, Funny)
I for one welcome our Autobot overlords.
It was the Decepticons that flew. Yeesh.
Re:Too Heavy? (Score:2, Funny)
A typical US family would have at least 3 of them.
Re:Cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Not if it collects samples during the service!
Re:flying robotic overlords (Score:3, Funny)
We said the same thing at the same minute? Hopefully this is a case of "great minds think alike" and not one of "fools seldom differ". :-)
Re:Cool. (Score:5, Funny)
I can see it now... (Score:1, Funny)
...airborne signs reading "$500.00 fine for texting while flying...
Re:flying robotic overlords (Score:3, Funny)
Haha. What's sad is after I posted that I looked down and noticed I was wearing a Transformers T-shirt.
Super cool, huh?
Re:Too Heavy? (Score:4, Funny)
You can take along either the luggage or the kids. Not both.
Unless you put your kids into the suitcase.
Re:flying robotic overlords (Score:3, Funny)
I recognize a tie-breaker when I see one. I concede defeat, sir. :-D
Re:Cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Oh God I read "felch beer" the first time...(ok, it was actually kind of hot)
Re:Too Heavy? (Score:5, Funny)