Japan partners with private firms to build flying cars

The government of Japan projects a future with flying cars, so that it is partnering with the private sector to develop futuristic vehicles.

The initiative aims to map out a plan so that commercial flying cars would soon be available.

Japanese government officials are partnering with companies including Boeing and Airbus, as well as major Japanese firms like All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, NEC and the Toyota-backed Cartivator.

“(Flying cars) are expected to solve issues of transportation in remote islands or mountainous areas, or rescue operations and goods transport in disaster,” trade ministry official Shinji Tokumasu said.

“We launched the public-private meeting to cultivate a new industry and make it profitable in the world market.”

In Japan, a group of engineers working with the Cartivator project is already developing a three-wheeled car that relies on drone technology to take flight.

Toyota and affiliated companies have invested about 42.5 million yen ($382,000) in the project.

Cartivator is hoping to launch a manned prototype by the end of 2019 so it can be used to light the Olympic flame when Japan’s capital Tokyo hosts the Games in 2020.

The manned vehicle, dubbed SkyDrive, will have four sets of propellers and be just 2.9 meters (9.5 foot) long and 1.3 meters wide.

But Japan is not alone in the flying car marketplace.