Tesla has showcased a redesigned Roadster that drove upside down and briefly flew through the air during a demonstration in Texas, renewing interest in flying cars. The stunt took place at a SpaceX facility in McGregor on October 15. However, the technology is still far from everyday use, with public-road approval and safety questions yet to be resolved.
The electric sports car performed stunts by moving up through a curved ramp, flipping over while being upside down and later lifting off into the air and touching the ground safely. Tesla even showed off the car performing jumps over other cars at the demo. This was close to nine years since the company first showcased the next generation Roadster in November 2017.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared a video showcasing this performance on X where he commented, "Turns out the future does have flying cars." Tesla itself shared videos from the official handle.
The Tesla Roadster makes use of cold-gas thrusters, which were made with SpaceX, another rocket company owned by Elon Musk. They are used to discharge high-pressure gas for propulsion of the vehicle for performing movements impossible for a normal car.
However, the demo was conducted in controlled environments. There has been no known approval for the flying of the car on roadways yet. There are still issues that need addressing before this technology can be used practically.
Tesla intends to launch the production of the Roadster model in 2028, based on information after its presentation. This period prolongs a development which has undergone a number of delays since its presentation in 2017. It will take additional time for customers to see the new version of this sports car.
The presentation becomes a showcase for the technological capabilities of the company. Nevertheless, the show itself is not enough to claim that flying cars will become safe and feasible means of transportation.
Now the ability of the Roadster to fly is an experimental demonstration but not a proof that flying cars can become a reliable means of transport.