A glimpse of future air travel? Incredible flying car concept inspired by flapping wings soars silently through the air and can take off and land anywhere

  • Volerian recently displayed its concept for a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle at the Farnborough Airshow 
  • They are working on a design that is derived from the most evolved form of flight on earth: flapping wings 
  • In nature, flapping consists of a heaving and pitching motion, which is mechanically complex adds weight
  • The company has streamlined this process to design a transport system that can take off and land anywhere

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Your daily commute could become faster, quieter and airborne if plans for a new flying car inspired by bird's wings come to fruition.

Attempting to succeed where early pioneers like the Wright Brothers failed, experts are working on a design that is derived from the most evolved form of flight on earth: flapping.

In nature, flapping consists of a heaving and pitching motion, which is mechanically complex and would add considerable weight and complexity to any design.

One company has streamlined this process to design a transport system that can take off and land anywhere.

Your daily commute could become faster, quieter and airborne if plans for a new flying car inspired by bird's wings come to fruition. Attempting to succeed where early pioneers like the Wright Brothers failed, experts are working on a design that is derived from the most evolved form of flight on earth: flapping (artist's impression)

Your daily commute could become faster, quieter and airborne if plans for a new flying car inspired by bird's wings come to fruition. Attempting to succeed where early pioneers like the Wright Brothers failed, experts are working on a design that is derived from the most evolved form of flight on earth: flapping (artist's impression)

Design firm Volerian recently displayed its concept for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle at the recent Farnborough International Airshow 2018.  

Volerian says its propulsion system can be used in most situations where a propeller or fan would normally be used. 

This applies to both conventional and VTOL propulsion and to large and small aircraft.

In addition the system can be used for domestic and industrial fan applications and may have uses for water based propulsion.

In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'Volerian has created a propulsion system that is cheap to manufacture and is much quieter and safer than any fan or propeller technology. 

'As a result of this we are now able to make aircraft that can be used in any situation in which a car can be used and much more.'

In nature, flapping consists of a heaving and pitching motion, which is mechanically complex and would add considerable weight and complexity to any design. One company has streamlined this process to design a transport system that can take off and land anywhere (artist's impression)

In nature, flapping consists of a heaving and pitching motion, which is mechanically complex and would add considerable weight and complexity to any design. One company has streamlined this process to design a transport system that can take off and land anywhere (artist's impression)

Design firm Volerian recently displayed its concept for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle at the recent Farnborough International Airshow 2018. Volerian says its propulsion system can be used in most situations where a propeller or fan would normally be used (artist's impression)

Design firm Volerian recently displayed its concept for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle at the recent Farnborough International Airshow 2018. Volerian says its propulsion system can be used in most situations where a propeller or fan would normally be used (artist's impression)

The technology applies to both conventional and VTOL propulsion and to large and small aircraft. In addition the system can be used for domestic and industrial fan applications and may have uses for water based propulsion (artist's impression)

The technology applies to both conventional and VTOL propulsion and to large and small aircraft. In addition the system can be used for domestic and industrial fan applications and may have uses for water based propulsion (artist's impression)

In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'Volerian has created a propulsion system that is cheap to manufacture and is much quieter and safer than any fan or propeller technology. 'As a result of this we are now able to make aircraft that can be used in any situation in which a car can be used and much more' (artist's impression)

In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'Volerian has created a propulsion system that is cheap to manufacture and is much quieter and safer than any fan or propeller technology. 'As a result of this we are now able to make aircraft that can be used in any situation in which a car can be used and much more' (artist's impression)

HOW DOES THE VOLERIAN FLYING CAR WORK?

Attempting to succeed where early pioneers like the Wright Brothers failed, design firm Volerian are working on a design that is derived from the most evolved form of flight on earth: flapping. 

In nature, flapping consists of a heaving and pitching motion, which is mechanically complex and would add considerable weight and complexity to any design.

By placing the flapping wing close to a specially shaped wall, in the form of a duct, the level of thrust can be efficiently increased without the need for greater amplitude, the firm says.

This would require an additional heaving motion or an increase in flapping frequency.

The separation of the flapping wings by the duct walls allows the flapping frequency to be altered independently of adjacent sets of wings.

This avoids the random fluctuations in thrust that would otherwise occur, due to the extent to which the flapping adjacent wings are in or out of phase with each other.

Frequency changes can be used to control the aircraft and to help maintain efficient cruise conditions.

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The basis of Volerian’s propulsion system is an oscillating wing set into a specially shaped duct. A stator wing is located downstream to further increase efficiency.

The flapping action of the wing creates a stream of thrust producing vortices known as a reverse Kármán vortex street.

The ducted wings are built up into an array that provides the area needed for thrust and control. 

The array has a high ratio of lifting surface to thrust area which reduces the energy in a given length of wing thereby increasing safety and reducing the engineering requirements and noise. 

In theory any wing length can be used, with the help of additional bearings.  

The basis of Volerian’s propulsion system is an oscillating wing set into a specially shaped duct. A stator wing is located downstream to further increase efficiency. The flapping action of the wing creates a stream of thrust producing vortices known as a reverse Kármán vortex street (artist's impression)

The basis of Volerian’s propulsion system is an oscillating wing set into a specially shaped duct. A stator wing is located downstream to further increase efficiency. The flapping action of the wing creates a stream of thrust producing vortices known as a reverse Kármán vortex street (artist's impression)

 The ducted wings are built up into an array that provides the area needed for thrust and control. The array has a high ratio of lifting surface to thrust area which reduces the energy in a given length of wing thereby increasing safety and reducing the engineering requirements and noise (artist's impression)

 The ducted wings are built up into an array that provides the area needed for thrust and control. The array has a high ratio of lifting surface to thrust area which reduces the energy in a given length of wing thereby increasing safety and reducing the engineering requirements and noise (artist's impression)

An array can be adapted for different flight requirements, for example a very quiet, large thrust area with good short range qualities or a smaller thrust area for faster, longer range with the ability to take-off conventionally (artist's impression)

An array can be adapted for different flight requirements, for example a very quiet, large thrust area with good short range qualities or a smaller thrust area for faster, longer range with the ability to take-off conventionally (artist's impression)

The simple two-dimensional geometry of the main aerodynamic shapes allows them to be produced in composite materials using pull extrusion manufacturing methods. This will greatly reduce the cost of manufacturing the aircraft (artist's impression)

The simple two-dimensional geometry of the main aerodynamic shapes allows them to be produced in composite materials using pull extrusion manufacturing methods. This will greatly reduce the cost of manufacturing the aircraft (artist's impression)

An array can be adapted for different flight requirements, for example a very quiet, large thrust area with good short range qualities or a smaller thrust area for faster, longer range with the ability to take-off conventionally.

The simple two-dimensional geometry of the main aerodynamic shapes allows them to be produced in composite materials using pull extrusion manufacturing methods. This will greatly reduce the cost of manufacturing the aircraft.

The wing motion is typically controlled by a cam connected to three wings to keep the motor loading constant. Aircraft using a large array can simply change motor speed for control. 

An array aligned with the direction of flight allows air to flow through the ducts. This avoids the problems of flow separation that occur with conventional ducted fans. 

The wing motion is typically controlled by a cam connected to three wings to keep the motor loading constant. Aircraft using a large array can simply change motor speed for control (artist's impression)

The wing motion is typically controlled by a cam connected to three wings to keep the motor loading constant. Aircraft using a large array can simply change motor speed for control (artist's impression)

An array aligned with the direction of flight allows air to flow through the ducts. This avoids the problems of flow separation that occur with conventional ducted fans (artist's impression)

An array aligned with the direction of flight allows air to flow through the ducts. This avoids the problems of flow separation that occur with conventional ducted fans (artist's impression)

All moving parts are still safely located within the ducts. In the event of an unpowered descent the fluttering action of the wings, caused by air flowing up through the ducts, will create drag and cause the array to act like a parachute (artist's impression)

All moving parts are still safely located within the ducts. In the event of an unpowered descent the fluttering action of the wings, caused by air flowing up through the ducts, will create drag and cause the array to act like a parachute (artist's impression)

The pressure changes along the length of the wing are constant, unlike a propeller blade which changes as the angular velocity increases towards the blade tip, so there are less three dimensional effects at the wing tips (artist's impression)

The pressure changes along the length of the wing are constant, unlike a propeller blade which changes as the angular velocity increases towards the blade tip, so there are less three dimensional effects at the wing tips (artist's impression)

All moving parts are still safely located within the ducts. In the event of an unpowered descent the fluttering action of the wings, caused by air flowing up through the ducts, will create drag and cause the array to act like a parachute.

The pressure changes along the length of the wing are constant, unlike a propeller blade which changes as the angular velocity increases towards the blade tip, so there are less three dimensional effects at the wing tips.

This means the energy is more spread out which is beneficial for noise and efficiency. End plates can also be used to further reduce the effect of wing tip vortices.

Turning vanes help adapt the array for faster, more efficient cruise and for control purposes. In this case they also turn the airflow away from the cabin which helps reduce cabin noise.

This means the energy is more spread out which is beneficial for noise and efficiency. End plates can also be used to further reduce the effect of wing tip vortices (computer design testing)

This means the energy is more spread out which is beneficial for noise and efficiency. End plates can also be used to further reduce the effect of wing tip vortices (computer design testing)

Turning vanes help adapt the array for faster, more efficient cruise and for control purposes. In this case they also turn the airflow away from the cabin which helps reduce cabin noise (computer design testing)

Turning vanes help adapt the array for faster, more efficient cruise and for control purposes. In this case they also turn the airflow away from the cabin which helps reduce cabin noise (computer design testing)

The spars that connect the array also act as wings to take part of the load during flight. 

Faster, more efficient cruise can be achieved using a deflected thrust system. This gives the aircraft excellent short take-off and landing capabilities as well as VTOL. 

Flaps are all fully immersed in the jet which prevents stall, enabling a very high lift coefficient and avoiding control problems arising from detached flow. 

Aircraft using this system can take full advantage of the high propulsive efficiency of flapping wings.

The geometry was optimised using computer models.

WHAT TYPE OF FLYING TAXIS COULD WE EXPECT TO SEE IN THE FUTURE?

Advances in electric motors, battery technology and autonomous software has triggered an explosion in the field of electric air taxis.

Larry Page, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, has poured millions into aviation start-ups Zee Aero and Kitty Hawk, which are both striving to create all-electric flying cabs.

Kitty Hawk is believed to be developing a flying car and has already filed more than a dozen different aircraft registrations with the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA.

Page, who co-founded Google with Sergey Brin back in 1998, has personally invested $100 million (£70 million) into the two companies, which have yet to publicly acknowledge or demonstrate their technology.

AirSpaceX unveiled its latest prototype, Mobi-One, at the North American International Auto Show in early 2018. Like its closest rivals, the electric aircraft is designed to carry two to four passengers and is capable of vertical take-off and landing

AirSpaceX unveiled its latest prototype, Mobi-One, at the North American International Auto Show in early 2018. Like its closest rivals, the electric aircraft is designed to carry two to four passengers and is capable of vertical take-off and landing

Airbus is also hard at work on an all-electric, vertical-take-off-and-landing craft, with its latest Project Vahana prototype, branded Alpha One, successfully completing its maiden test flight in February 2018.

The self-piloted helicopter reached a height of 16 feet (five metres) before successfully returning to the ground. In total, the test flight lasted 53 seconds.

Airbus previously shared a well-produced concept video, showcasing its vision for Project Vahana.

The footage reveals a sleek self-flying aircraft that seats one passenger under a canopy that retracts in similar way to a motorcycle helmet visor.

Airbus Project Vahana prototype, branded Alpha One, successfully completed its maiden test flight in February 2018. The self-piloted helicopter reached a height of 16 feet (five metres) before successfully returning to the ground. In total, the test flight lasted 53 seconds

Airbus Project Vahana prototype, branded Alpha One, successfully completed its maiden test flight in February 2018. The self-piloted helicopter reached a height of 16 feet (five metres) before successfully returning to the ground. In total, the test flight lasted 53 seconds

AirSpaceX is another company with ambitions to take commuters to the skies.

The Detroit-based start-up has promised to deploy 2,500 aircrafts in the 50 largest cities in the United States by 2026.

AirSpaceX unveiled its latest prototype, Mobi-One, at the North American International Auto Show in early 2018.

Like its closest rivals, the electric aircraft is designed to carry two to four passengers and is capable of vertical take-off and landing.

AirSpaceX has even included broadband connectivity for high speed internet access so you can check your Facebook News Feed as you fly to work.

Aside from passenger and cargo services, AirSpaceX says the craft can also be used for medical and casualty evacuation, as well as tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Even Uber is working on making its ride-hailing service airborne.

Dubbed Uber Elevate, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tentatively discussed the company’s plans during a technology conference in January 2018.

‘I think it’s going to happen within the next 10 years,’ he said.

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