Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is partnering with electric aviation startup Archer to mass-produce flying automobiles, really more like helicopters or drones. General Motors also released designs for an autonomous flying car recently.
Michael J. Cohen reports that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is angling for a foothold in the flying car market by partnering with an electric aviation startup.
"On Jan. 12, the electric aviation company Archer announced it is partnering with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to mass-produce its aircraft starting in 2023."
According to Cohen, the partnership is the first of its kind, but there will likely be more electric aviation startups working with large automobile manufacturers in the near future, all attempting "to crack the massive market for short-haul electric aviation."
"Archer, along with rivals such as Joby and Beta, is building a vertical take-off and landing aircraft intended to provide 'faster, sustainable, and affordable urban transportation,'" according to Cohen. Brett Adcock, Archer co-founder, is quoted in the article saying the company is building the "world's first all-electric commercial airline."
Numerous challenges, not the least of which includes the challenges of scaling up manufacturing, still stand between the companies and their ambitions. The industry does poised to one of the challenges inherent to the idea of fleets of flying cars, according to the article, by recently advancing electric aviation technology to the precipice of the global market.
Not to be outdone, General Motors recently released designs for an autonomous flying Cadillac, according to an article by Reuters. The flying Cadillac, technically a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, will fit one passenger. The article notes that Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor, and Geely Automobile have previously revealed concept aerial vehicles.
FULL STORY: Fiat Chrysler plans to mass produce flying cars by 2023

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont