Porsche and Boeing Teaming up to Build Flying Car

Beating Traffic

Since the Jetsons were on TV (or maybe even before), we've all dreamed of owning a flying car. Heck, if for no other reason than to avoid that dreaded morning rush hour traffic. But alas, this dream has never come to fruition, due to a variety of reasons, both valid and silly. Until now, that is. Because apparently, Boeing and Porsche have joined forces to make the flying car a reality for folks that have the means to buy one.

Photos: Boeing  

It's Happening

More specifically, the two manufacturers have agreed to team up to develop a concept for an upscale commercial passenger drone. And then, they plan on studying the feasibility of a potential market for such a vehicle. The autonomous, all-electric "premium air mobility vehicle" can take off and land vertically, and they actually plan on building and testing a prototype once the model is finished.

Photos: Boeing

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Joining Forces

To us at least, this is an idea well worth exploring. And both companies certainly stand to benefit if it works. "Porsche is looking to enhance its scope as a sports car manufacturer by becoming a leading brand for premium mobility. In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel," said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. "We are combining the strengths of two leading global companies to address a potential key market segment of the future."

Photos: Porsche

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Collaborative Efforts

"This collaboration builds on our efforts to develop a safe and efficient new mobility ecosystem, and provides an opportunity to investigate the development of a premium urban air mobility vehicle with a leading automotive brand," added Steve Nordlund, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing NeXt, an organization that is laying the foundation for a next-generation mobility ecosystem in which autonomous and piloted vehicles can safely coexist. "Porsche and Boeing together bring precision engineering, style, and innovation to accelerate urban air mobility worldwide."

Photos: Porsche

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Studying Feasibility

Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences is also chipping in on the project. As part of the partnership, the companies will create an international team to address various aspects of urban air mobility, including analysis of the market potential for premium vehicles and possible use cases.

Photos: Porsche

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Picking Up Speed

Unsurprisingly, there is enough data out there to suggest that such a vehicle already has a large potential market. A 2018 study by Porsche Consulting forecasts that the urban air mobility market will pick up speed after 2025. The study also indicates that urban air mobility solutions will transport passengers more quickly and efficiently than current conventional means of terrestrial transport, at a lower cost and with greater flexibility.

Photos: Porsche

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Premium Experience

Porsche seems like the perfect partner in such a venture as well. Despite its low sales volume, the company has long managed to produce higher-than-average profits in an industry that often returns thin margins. Obviously, initial air mobility offerings will be limited to premium customers, which means they'll expect a premium experience.

Photos: Porsche

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Big New Market

The future of mobility is also shaping up to be much different than what we're seeing today. Along with all-electric and autonomous vehicles, automakers must explore alternative ventures to survive. Porsche estimates that by 2035, electric passenger drones could number over 20,000 in a new market worth an estimated $32 billion.

Photos: Porsche

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More Efficient Transportation

It's also easy to believe that this type of transportation will prove much more efficient than traditional ground transport, especially in crowded urban areas. That is until the skies are filled with these sorts of drones. 

Photos: Porsche

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Filling a Niche

Even if the project doesn't pan out as planned, Porsche is smart to explore it fully. Personally, we'd love nothing more than to hail a drone to whisk us away to our next job site or meeting. So long as we can still drive and enjoy our GT3 RS on the weekend, that is.

Photos: Porsche

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