Flying Car at Auction: Moller International Inc. (MLER) Offers to Sell its Original M400 Skycar

Moller International, Inc. is offering to sell its original M400 Skycar(R) via public auction as a centerpiece of any car or aircraft collection in a public or private museum. It is the world's first true VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) "Flying Car" to be demonstrated. It is very prevalent on Google and YouTube under M400 Skycar.

(DIXON, Calif.) -- NEWS: Moller International is offering to sell its original M400 Skycar(R) via public auction as a centerpiece of any car or aircraft collection in a public or private museum. It is the world's first true VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) "Flying Car" to be demonstrated. It is very prevalent on Google and YouTube under M400 Skycar.

The M400 Skycar is a true museum piece, developed over many years and first flown in 2001 at the company's shareholder meeting. It has since flown (under a restricted environment) many times. This vehicle was featured on the covers Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and the topic of countless news articles and broadcasts including 60 Minutes, ABC, Bloomberg, CNN, and Discovery Channel.

A collector who buys the M400 Skycar(R) will receive it in its original 2001 flight form and condition, complete with eight Rotapower engines that produced over than 720 hp allowing the M400 Skycar(R) to take off and land vertically.

< p>It should be noted, however, in this original form, it was not FAA approved and a condition of this sale is that it cannot be flown. Nonetheless, this vehicle can be the centerpiece of any car or aircraft collection in a public or private museum. Reassembling it back to its original state will take some time.

Alternatively, a bidder can buy the M400 Skycar(R) and, with Moller International's support, make it the world's first FAA approved VTOL capable "flying car."

Over the last 30 years, Moller International has spent more than $150 million developing the engine and airframe technology to make this prototype possible. A modified version of the original M400 Skycar(R) was previously offered for sale, but failed to meet the reserve. The M400 prototype has now been superseded by the hybrid Skycar(R) 400 configuration. View more information about Moller at: http://moller.com/.

Upon successful completion of this auction, Moller International will immediately transfer title to its new owner. A bidder that is first qualified by eBay is invited by Moller International to inspect the M400 Skycar(R) during the auction.

View the vehicle on eBay at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152621790275

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shlZySkGq6g

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0717s2p-skycar-300dpi.jpg*Photo Caption: Moller M400 Skycar up for auction.

( REF: OTCMKTS:MLER / OTC-QB:MLER / OTC:MLER )

Related link: http://moller.com/

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Source: Flying Car at Auction: Moller International Inc. (MLER) Offers to Sell its Original M400 Skycar

Bizarre video shows a man getting hit by an SUV, sending stacks of cash flying while driver and passenger get out to pick it up before driving away

Video shows what police say is a car deal gone wrong in Burbank, California

A man wearing red pants with a bag is seen running away from a black SUV  

The SUV hits the man, who skids across the street as cash flies in the air

The man got up and ran away as two men got out of the SUV to pick up the cash 

By Ann Schmidt For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:01 EDT, 16 July 2017 | Updated: 12:34 EDT, 16 July 2017

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Police are investigating what they believe was a car deal gone bad that was caught on video.

A witness to the bizarre scene in Burbank, California, filmed it all on his cell phone.

A man, wearing red pants and carrying a black bag can be seen running away from a black SUV that was driving out of a shopping center.

The car catches up to the man and hits him, sending stacks of cash flying through the air as the man skids several feet along the ground.

'The bag spilled out tons and tons of cash,' the witness, who asked not to be identified, told CBS LA. 

Scroll down for video 

Police are investigating what they believe was a car deal gone bad that was caught on video in Burbank, California, where a black SUV hits a man (pictured) who is running away, which se nds stacks of cash flying through the air

As the man in red pants gets away, two men wearing white t-shirts get out of the black SUV and go to pick up the stacks of cash from the busy street (pictured)

'Somehow he was able to pick a few of the stacks of money up and then he took off running.'

He said the cash appeared to be stacks of $20 bills.

Other witnesses said the man got into another car farther down the street.

As the man wearing red pants gets away, two met wearing white t-shirts get out of the truck and pick up the rest of the cash from the busy street. 

All three men involved in the bizarre scene got away, so police are relying on witnesses to investigate

A witness filmed the whole scene on his cell phone and said he thinks the driver of the SUV intentionally hit the man. The witness, who asked to not be identified, said he was able to get the SUV's license plate number

After they got what they wanted, they drove away going east, leaving police to depend on witnesses.

Officials believe the incident was a car deal gone wrong.  

The man who filmed the scene said he was able to get the car's li cense plate number.

The police investigation now depends on if the SUV driver intentionally hit the man who was running away, CBS LA reported.

From the perspective of the witness, 'it definitely looked intentional'.

Police believe it was a car deal gone wrong and their investigation depends on whether the driver of the SUV meant to hit the man wearing red pants 

Source: Bizarre video shows a man getting hit by an SUV, sending stacks of cash flying while driver and passenger get out to pick it up before driving away

End of roads: meet the flying cars of the future!

Although we've come/ To the end of the roadStill I can't let go/ It's unnatural-Lyrics of End Of The Road by Boyz II Men

I wonder if the band Boyz II Men knew they were predicting the future. While they were talking about a relationship coming to an end, they nailed it in more ways than one. The end of roads is just around the next corner. Think about it. What's the biggest bottleneck in moving humans from one place to another? Roads! Too narrow, poorly planned, get waterlogged very quickly and a dozen other major problems. What if we could get rid of roads forever?

For that we need flying cars. And away from silly fantasy, poorly conceived sci-fi movies and terrible hobbyist prototypes – the flying car is moving very quickly towards reality. While self-driving cars are getting all the headline, real flying cars are silently taking off.

AeroMobil

AeroMobil's flying car has stunning interiors

This is the flying car that has everyone really excited as its already a working model. Slovakia-based company AeroMobil has a ready to fly car and is currently taking bookings. The stunning looking car has interiors that can rival any luxury car. It converts to a flying vehicle and is equipped with folding wings that can swing out in less than three minutes.

Terrafugia

Terrafugia has the most futuristic-looking car

By far the most futuristic looking of them all. USA based Terrafugia claims its TF-X will be ready to take to the skies within 1 year. The designs include fold-out wings and helicopter-like rotor blades and will have a cruising speed of around 322 kmph. Terrafugia says its aim is to provide 'true door-to-door transportation' with a vertical take off that needs no roads at all.

PAL-V

The Pal-V is already taking bookings

Once again no hot air claims for this one too. The PAL-V Liberty already flies and can be booked right now. Not as futuristic looking as the others, the Liberty comes with a three-wheel design that takes about 10 minutes to morph from a car to a flying machine. The Liberty can gain an altitude of about 3000 metres and speeds of about 200kmph.

Uber

Uber may have hit rock bottom in terms of the internal workings but is flying very high with its plans for having drone like taxi that will come and pick you up from your roof. Just use the app, choose a Uber car or a Uber Elevate Drone and get to your destination within minutes. The vertical take off and landing denotes that the vehicle needs no roads or ground space to operate. Uber may have the first ones out by 2020.

Kitty Hawk

This is that exciting piece of equipment that may fructify before any other. Backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, footage of the Kitty Hawk Flyer is already out and it seems to be in advanced stages of operation. An all electric aircraft currently designed to operate over water and expected to have a water and land flight version soon - this may well be one of the easier solutions to our no road dream.

Volocopter

The Volocopter is part helicopter and part drone

This is part helicopter, part drone and a full dream turned into reality. It so real that Dubai has started the world's first test run of autonomous air taxis with the Volocopter 2X model. The test runs start at the end of this year itself. The vehicle itself runs on electric only motors, has 18 rotors and completely intelligent autonomous control system. Maybe when you're in Dubai in a year or two, a taxi ride to the top of the Burj Khalifa could well be part of the trip.

Lilium

This can do what no other one can. Take off vertically in a drone like fashion and then convert to a wing borne aircraft. A two seater prototype did a trial run and was able to complete complicated manoeuvres with extreme ease. The Munich-based Lilium is backed by investors who include Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström.

Airbus

By far the biggest challenge undertaken is by Airbus, the European aerospace giant. Its made solving the airborne human problem the biggest test for its new technology accelerator, A3. It already has 3 flying car concepts. The most promising one is the Vahana, their personal mobility flying car. Its even showcased an air drone powered flying car at the Geneva Motor Show.

Lots of other big players now out in the market and each is approaching the problem with different solutions. Still, its not all hunky dory in the flying car club. Rules and regulations for flying cars including how to have control over air space is the biggest problem.

Still, it seems that this is an idea whose time has come. It may not be too long before we can say the exact same thing that Doc said to Marty in the 1985 movie Back to the Future. "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads"

Rajiv Makhni is managing editor, Technology, NDTV, and the anchor of Gadget Guru, Cell Guru and Newsnet 3

From HT Brunch, July 16, 2017

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Source: End of roads: meet the flying cars of the future!

Dubai's 'eye in the sky' will track flying cars

Dubai will be using its newly opened Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3) to track the movement of flying cars in its skies, according to a senior Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

Last month, the emirate's transportation authority said it is expecting to start commercial operations of pilotless aerial taxis in the next five years.

While it announced a new agreement with German Volocopter and will begin test run of the unmanned two-seater aerial vehicles before the end of the year, China's Ehang Company is continuing to test its single passenger autonomous aerial vehicle (EHang 184) in the city. The company released a video of its test last week.

In an exclusive interview, Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, RTA Licensing Agency, and chairman of the smart vehicles committee, said they will be using EC3 to monitor flying vehicles in the city.

"We envision the EC3 will be the control centre for aerial vehicles where we will be able to track, monitor and manage these aerial vehicles."

The $91.28m (AED335m) centre, launched in May, currently monitors and controls all of mass transits, including the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, taxis and marine transit. For now it handles 55 million records every day using 11,231 CCTV cameras but will be used to manage and plan major events such as Expo 2020.

The Dubai government plans to have 25 percent of its transport autonomous by 2030 and is working on a phased introduction of autonomous transit modes to help generate economic revenues and savings of up to $5.99 billion (AED22 billion) a year.

Source: Dubai's 'eye in the sky' will track flying cars

Flying cars and no more pilots in flight revolution: Airbus

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Pilotless aircraft, flying electric vehicles and bespoke air cabins are the future of flight, Airbus said Thursday.

Paul Eremenko, the European plane-maker's chief technological officer, painted a picture of skies buzzing with new flight forms at the RISE tech conference held in Hong Kong.

Airbus is already testing out what it calls a "module" cabin concept—passenger planes being tailored to different demands.

"You can imagine on a flight to Vegas, you might have a casino module," said Eremenko.

"Or in a more general sense, you may have a sleeping module and you go and pay 50 bucks an hour to have the ability to sleep in a sound-proof, climate-controlled area," he added.

Eremenko said Airbus had been working on the project for a year already, including user trials.

Airbus has also been working on a self-piloted flying car, the Vahana, with testing on a full-size prototype to be done by the end of the year.

"Our goal really is to open up the third dimension in cities and we believe that the time is right," said Eremenko, describing the growth of mega-cities, increasing congestion and technological developments as factors fuelling the development of electric short-hop flight travel.

Pilotless flight was also on the cards, he said, playing down safety fears.

"We believe the first autonomy will come in the domain of urban air mobility where the vehicles are smaller and there are fewer occupants," he said, adding it was easier to fly autonomously than to drive autonomously.

"That, I have fairly high confidence that we will get to in single-digit years," he said, adding the problem was not a technical one but of social acceptance.

Artificial intelligence was the main focus of the sprawling RISE conference, which Wednesday included a debate between two lifelike disembodied robot torsos on the future of humanity.

Explore further: New Russian jet takes to air in bid to rival Airbus and Boeing

© 2017 AFP

Source: Flying cars and no more pilots in flight revolution: Airbus

Flying Cars Might be a Reality in Dubai this Summer

It has been observed that Dubai has overpopulated roads. However, the skies are about to get crowded: they are launching flying cars this summer. That is not all, these flying cars are driverless, a feat in Robotics that definitely requires praise.

On Monday before the Valentine's Day the test drive for the car was taken and it was presumed that these cars were totally automated and were free from human intervention. The flying car controlled by a true AI, has always been a part of fiction, but now it becoming a reality.

To add more spice to the mix, it is an understood factor what would happen to the traffic rules in Dubai. If these cars were truly to populate the air, what would planes do in this case? Would Dubai be declared a no fly zone or would it allocate a certain altitude to the already existing air traffic?

This is not all. Dubai has a high road side accident average, and when the traffic is linear and travels in a specific pattern, how would they control, monitor or ticket these vehicles? Perhaps these vehicles are automated and can be programmed to avoid such circumstances, which would require tough algorithms that would have to identify every possible condition that could exist in an air traffic collision. And there is the traffic problem, how would these planes or so-called flying cars would react if it is surrounded on all sides by other such cars?

The Ehang 184, for example, has surprising specs: it can fly upto 3500 meters above sea level, it has a cruise speed of 60 km/h, net weight of about 240kg, the maximum output is about 152 kw considering it is powered by 8 motors, it takes about 1-4 hours to charge and has the battery capacity of 17 kwh and it can carry weights about 100kg.

Keeping traffic control on one side, the energy consumption would boost. This would certainly be tackled by solar energy, the most obvious choice in the matter at hand, but it would run on stored energy at night. There are various ifs in this case. For example, what if the power source fails?  What if it runs out of energy in a traffic jam? What if it is too low on fuel but has attained an altitude that is too high to safely land?

It is presumed again that mobile fuel stations would also be launched to tackle the situation. Surely the authorities that are launching this incentive have some backup plans to combat all of the above and numerous other ifs, that may arise as a simultaneous result of launching this mobile medium of air transport, its launch would certainly boost tourism revenues as well. And with an increase in costs, the revenues foster as well.

Source: Flying Cars Might be a Reality in Dubai this Summer

Low-Flying Plane Swipes off-Duty Firefighter’s Car. Watches Plane Crash Freeway, Burst into Flames

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John Meffert was driving down the freeway recently when something strange happened. The off-duty firefighter jumped right in to action when he saw what was going on.

Meffert was driving home when he noticed a small plane flying way too close to the ground. "I was on the phone with my dad and I told him, 'There's a plane really low. I think this plane is going to hit me,'" he said.

The wing of the plane grazed Meffert's car hood, and then crashed into the ground. Witnesses feared the worst.

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Meffert's first thought was that the passengers in the plane had to be dead. The crash was so bad that he couldn't imagine anyone had survived.

He felt so much relief when he saw a head emerge from the wreckage. He quickly got out of his car to help the victims.

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"I wasn't thinking about my own safety. That's probably due to the wife that was a passenger. I saw her face and head pop up out of the passenger side. If she could be there, I thought I could be there," said Meffert.

The passengers were an older married couple, and they both had major injuries. Meffert carefully extracted them from the debris and kept them safe until medical professionals arrived.

Meffert is quick to point out that he wasn't the only one that jumped in to help. "A lot of people were ready to help. I just happened to be in a position that maybe I was the first one there," he said.

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Multiple people had fire extinguishers and were trying to put out the flames. Their efforts did not go unnoticed by Meffert.

County Fire Authority Captain Larry Kurtz was inspired by Meffert's attitude about the situation. "He seems very humble, very selfless. We certainly need more people like him in the world. He was very calm and very relaxed. Obviously he's a professional and he deals with emergency situations all the time," he said.

It is a good thing that Meffert was around when this accident occurred. His quick actions helped to save the lives of two people who had a close brush with death!

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Source: Low-Flying Plane Swipes off-Duty Firefighter's Car. Watches Plane Crash Freeway, Burst into Flames