LuftCar (concept design)

LuftCar (concept design)
LuftCar
Chuluota, Florida, USA
www.luftcar.com

Founded on March 24, 2021, LuftCar's goal is to address climate change by providing hydrogen powered vertical and takeoff landing (VTOL) two-in-one autonomous air and road mobility vehicles to help drivers navigate quickly through cities, between cities and in rural areas with zero emissions. The company is actively applying for grants and angel funding and is based in Florida, USA.

LuftCar's goal is to help people to have easy access to both road and air travel and at the same time, to be able to do this without additional costly infrastructure that conventional airplanes require for air travel. The company has chosen a modular road and air vehicle, inspired by the flying car used by the villain Francisco Scaramanga, from the 1974 James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. While various flying car prototypes have been built since the early 20th Century, LuftCar would like to finally make a successful commercial production model.

The LuftCar concept design is powered by hydrogen fuel cells with batteries and is a road drivable and air flying modular vehicle which transforms from a car to an aircraft by attaching wings and propellers to the top of the car. The vehicle seats four passengers, is flown autonomously, has a maximum flight speed of 220 mph (354 km/h), a maximum range (airborne) of 300 m (483 km) and a maximum range (by road) of 150 m (241 km).

The LuftCar expects their aircraft can be used for charter for personal luxury travel, for urban air mobility, used as air ambulances, medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, air cargo delivery and military use. The first prototype is expected to be built by the fall of 2022, a production prototype in 2023 and finally see the production of their vehicle by 2024.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Modular Hybrid-electric VTOL and road vehicle
• Piloting: Autonomous
• Capacity: 4 passengers
• Maximum flight speed: 220 mph (354 km/h)
• Maximum range (airborne): 300 m (483 km)
• Maximum range (road): 150 m (241 km)
• Cruise altitude: 3,000 ft (914 m)
• Propellers: 4 propellers
• Electric Motors: 4 electric motors (for flight)
• Power source: Fuel cells and solid state batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Windows similar to an automobile
• Wing: Removable high wing and V-tail combination
• Landing gear: 4 automobile wheels

Resources:

• LuftCar website
• LuftCar Facebook
• LuftCar Twitter
• LuftCar LinkedIn
• Article: LuftCar's impact on hydrogen and the environment, LuftCar, July 3, 2021