19 Jul 2018

Flying cars: Aston Martin aims for the skies with new model

From Checkpoint, 5:57 pm on 19 July 2018

Aston Martin has unveiled a concept for a luxury three-seater aircraft driven by AI. 

The proposed Volante personal aircraft would hit speeds of 320kmh, and the company is hoping to have a working model within two years.

The concept was unveiled at the Farmborough Air Show, the company was hoping to provide a luxury competitor to the growing field of transport drones being explored by Uber and Airbus. 

A model of the Aston Martin Vision Volante Concept aircraft is displayed at the Farnborough Airshow, south west of London, on July 17, 2018.

Photo: AFP / Ben Stansall

The electric propulsion would be developed by Rolls Royce, while Cranfield University has signed up to provide an AI to drive it. 

As a luxury item, the craft's price tag is expected to at least top seven figures, but a commercially viable product is not likely to be released for several years. 

A model of the Aston Martin Vision Volante Concept aircraft is displayed at the Farnborough Airshow, south west of London, on July 17, 2018.

Photo: AFP / Ben Stansall