Malaysia to start testing flying cars soon

Despite backlash and netizens poking fun at the idea, Malaysia is willing to go ahead with its flying cars project and the country is preparing space for companies willing to develop such projects.

“If there is anyone who wants to invent flying cars, I now have space for them to conduct tests,” said Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof.

He added that the testing ground will be in Cyberjaya.

Malaysians are not ready to see flying cars, it seems, making jokes that the country’s next ‘national’ car will be a flying fan instead.

However, Aerodyne CEO Kamarul Muhamed says a working prototype of the air mobility vehicle is expected to be ready by year-end.

It will cost RM500,000 to produce the prototype.

According to reports, Aerodyne is a global player in the drone services industry.

It is ranked seventh internationally by the Drone Industry Insights.

Nevertheless, some netizens are saying if Malaysia is serious about flying cars, it has to figure out the traffic system first.

If Malaysia really want the flying car thing, the country need to figure the traffic system! https://t.co/09VPgt7zoQ

— ZAZ (@ThIsIs_Zharif) July 31, 2019

NASA researchers have tested tiny aerial vehicles over Reno, Nevada in June. This is because of the growing interest by commercial companies to use drones, the authorities must make sure they are flown safely. It is also necessary for traffic management.

Meanwhile, Japan is building a man-made Island to showcase its technological advancement. One of the highlights is to showcase Internet of Things.

The Entrepreneur minister says one of the Japanese products that will be showcased is the flying taxi. They will fly people from the Osaka Airport to the man-made island by ferrying people using the flying taxi.

He told the New Straits Times that while Malaysians are still debating about flying cars and making jokes about it, other countries have already moved towards the future.

Malaysians have an aversion for the idea of the country investing again in a car project after the failure of the Proton, the first national car.

But Proton is making a return as one of the most popular cars in Malaysia after its re-branding following its sale to the Chinese company Geely. -/TISG