Terrafugia TF-X

TF-X
Prototype TF-X Pod
Role
Manufacturer Terrafugia
Status primary user=



The Terrafugia TF-X is the first fully autonomous flying car under development by Boston-based Terrafugia. Its expected release date is listed as eight to twelve years.[1] The TF-X seats four passengers and uses an engine combined with two electric motors for propulsion.[2] Unlike the previously proposed Transition, the TF-X is capable of vertical take-off and landing by extending its retractable wings attached with pusher propellers while aerial thrust is provided by a ducted fan at the rear.[3] It will be able to fit in a single car garage.

Powered by two plug-in hybrid 600-horsepower electric motors and a 300-horsepower fuel engine, the TF-X is planned to have a flight range of 500 miles (805 km) with a cruising flight speed of 200 mph (322 km/h) without the need to refuel or recharge.[2] Road speed is currently unknown.[4]

Design and Development

Due to the success of the Transition vehicle, Terrafugia announced in 2013 that they were developing the TF-X. When in flight, the TF-X is effectively autonomous, with its pilot able to navigate to a pre-specified landing zone—and pre-selected backup landing zones—by itself, although manual controls and overrides exist. Final landing must be approved by the pilot. The TF-X will also provide operators the choice to fly in either manual or automatic during flight with the ability to control the vehicle in a manner similar to steering the wheel of an automobile. Terrafugia claims that learning to drive the TF-X is likely to take five hours and will take substantially less time to learn how to safely operate than a traditional aircraft.[1]

Safety Features

The TF-X will be capable of avoiding air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace. For additional safety features, the TF-X would automatically land at the nearest airport if the operator becomes unresponsive. Additionally, if a TF-X operator declares an emergency, the authorities will be automatically notified of the situation and the TF-X can be landed in a non-approved landing zone. The TF-X also features a backup full vehicle parachute system that can be activated if the operator believes the vehicle is incapable of auto-landing.[1]

Pricing

Pricing is expected to be upwards of £200,000 (roughly $300,000).[5]

Specifications (TF-X)

Data from Terrafugia

General characteristics

Performance


See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. 1 2 http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/27/this-awesome-terrafugia-electric-vehicle-will-fly-someday/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20150730-terrafugia. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ http://www.topgear.com/car-news/future-tech/flying-car-here-last-its-terrafugias-tf-x. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-terrafugia-tf-x-flying-car-revealed. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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