Want A Personal Flying Device? Here Are The Contenders

We are sure that you are like so many other people in the world who have dreamed to fly like a bird, whether it be via a jetpack of their very own, or with some other device of the same genre. Although it seems like this technology to fly on your own personal whim may seem like a century away still, it is closer than you may think. In fact, Boeing has just closed its contest that allowed teams from all across the world to enter, revealing their own designs for personal flying devices. The contest just concluded its first round, which revealed the top ten and their designs that will continue on in the competition. We are here to show you what the future may look like when it comes to flying at your own speed one day, and how soon we may actually be to seeing these designs come to life, so let’s get right to it!

Inspiration From da Vinci

While, as we mentioned before, many in our society today picture personal flying devices being that of jetpacks as portrayed in film and entertainment, the Boeing contest actually showed more inspiration to that of the great Leonardo da Vinci’s flying contraption that he developed back in his day. Many of the specs and illustrations that were submitted from teams all across the world — Including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and so forth — revealed devices that appeared to be more like hovering drones, motorcycles, and/or other vehicles. This will allow transportation at various different levels, and will make the future all the more a reality.

What Is Next For The Contest?

As we alluded to before, the Boeing contest that was initially held is far from over; In fact, is has really just begun. While many teams entered from all across the globe, the contestants were narrowed down to the top ten, based on their innovative designs and specs that they created and submitted. While each team was rewarded a $20,000 award, their individual work is far from over. The next phase of the competition will require all of the winning teams (and anyone else who wants to enter) to create a functional prototype of their futuristic flying machine design. When we say functional, don’t be fooled; We mean that each contestant who has entered will have to provide a test flight of their device for the board of judges — Talk about pressure! This portion of the contest is set to end in the spring of 2019, and it will essentially narrow down the group of contestants down to the top four, who will win an award of $50,000

Once the top four are decided, the final phase of the Boeing competition will take place in the fall of 2019. At this point, these teams chosen will have to perfect their designs to enable them to carry a passenger from a vertical lift-off, and carry them twenty miles in distance successfully. Once the winner is chosen, they will win $1.6 million as well as the rights to their flying machine. This means that essentially, the winners will be able to decide if their flying machine will make it into the hands of millions all across the world.

Do We Need Flying Machines?

With all of this hype surrounding the competition, and the near future of personal flying devices becoming a reality, is it really something that our society needs? We have often dreamed about this moment, about a futuristic lifestyle that makes things easier for thousands of people everywhere; However, we are sure that these flying devices are going to be difficult for many to attain when they are initially released. It may also require several individuals across the globe to get different training when it comes to driving the personal device itself. Is this a hassle that we really need in our society today?

Either way you look at it, we are finally beginning to delve deep into the future, bringing these once fictional ideas into reality. There may finally come a day in the next few years where traveling via your own personal flying device is a sure thing, and where it may begin to take over the motor vehicle industry in some aspects. Again, only time will tell, and we will be sure to bring you any more details regarding this competition and other creations like it as it all continues.

You can also read: