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Comment by ExoticPearTree | Hacker News Reader

> We don't have the infrastructure, regulation or technology to have millions of people buzzing around in their astro-ford like the fifth element - this is still very much science fiction.

If by flying cars you mean flying robotaxies, then all you need are landing pads. They can be easily accomodated on top of buildings. And regulation for what? We already know how to fky helicopters by autopilot, no need for innovation stiffling with more regulation.

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If they are supposed to replace cars we'd need so many of these landing pads. No idea how this is supposed to work. I'm the suburbs it's unclear where you'd put them. Where do I walk to fly this to Costco? Does it land on the Costco warehouse next to an entire line of these arriving instead of cars today?

In proper downtown areas I suspect even if you'd cover every rooftop in these it wouldn't be enough capacity

There are two aspects to this:

- what are the dimensions of a flying car? Double than a car? Triple?

- are they autonomous or need to be flown manually?

Looking at current drone designs, you could get away with a flying car the size of large SUV. If they are autonomous, then you don't have to worry much: Car, take me to Costco.

You don't think that there needs to be lots of clearance around the landing area? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to have one landing right next to me while I'm loading up groceries

If the blades have sufficient ground clearance ;like a helicopter or higher), then yes, they would land next you.

It is going to suck in winter and rainy weather though.

Now thinking of this, you can have landing/takeoff areas and then you taxi on the ground as not to disturb fellow shoppers loading groceries.

Airtaxis can't retrofit suburbs just like cars can't retrofit 1850s cities. Imagine a city built around airtaxis and delivery drones. I think it is doable which means that they'll do it.

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