I found this video on youtube that cracks me up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COK8aqXs8h0 I mean, I’d be blown away if I saw flying cars too, but I wouldn’t immediately say that I have to show my Mutti. I’m trying not to be stupid, but, uh, are there actually flying cars? And do they only have them in Hollywood, or what?

It's a GM ad campaign. You can tell because all of the cars (even the ones parked on the street not flying) are new GM models.

There is a GM ad running on TV right now that shows drivers being amazed when their new cars suddenly take off. I don't know what the point is - what the meaning of the flying cars is. I'm sure it implies eco-friendliness or something like that.

On a side note, I fear that this is the phenomenon that will kill all joy in the internet. It won't be legislation, it will be million dollar ad campaigns that masquerade as home movies and corporate news disguised as indepedent blogs.

Don't trust anyone over 3 megs???

Back in the 60's some ambitious home inventor actually made a flying car.

This is the car in a museum.



Needless to say this inventor didn't get rich.
Though he did get his name in the history books.

How disappointing. I thought it was some student CGI project or something. I guess I'm not familiar with what cars are under the GM umbrella, for instance, I never would have guessed that the Hummer is, but now that I take another look at the video, you're right. I just googled GM and flying cars and found this: http://www.angelfire.com/planet/futuretechtoday/ ...curious...

I disagree with you though, I don't have a problem with companies spending tons of money to look like the average internet user. It's all entertainment to me, I don't care whose behind it if it's good.

I wouldn't have a problem with big companies doing, if they would explain what you were watching at some point. Some of them are entertaining, but if the internet turns into one big commercial/product placement, I'd rather just watch TV.

It's like this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZyIz741zjQ which is a Toyota commercial - the truck gets hit be a meteor and doesn't even look scratched. I see it posted here and there from time to time as though it is a real video. A small Toyota logo superimposed in the bottom right corner after the truck drives out of the explosion would make it feel not so cheap when you learn it's not real.


As for the flying car thing, here is one that the show Monster Garage built a few years ago.



I think it made it to an staggering altitude of 20 feet or so, but for one week's effort by a bunch of amateurs it's pretty impressive.


I think the flying car will evolve from this, or at least this idea.



This is the Acecraft GEN H-4. It's basically a flying Segway.

55mph cruising speed.
60 mile range without refueling.
4 engines for safety/redundency.
10,000 foot ceiling.
One sale now for $30,000.

It's not much to look at, but then again a Ford Model T isn't either. I could see flying it to work on clear days and landing it on the roof of an office building. Beats sitting in traffic.

***Edit to add***


That thing is adorable Sky. I just want to pinch it's cheaks... uh... fenders... um... ailerons???

Nice pictures! The Acecraft GEN is outstanding, although I reaching that ceiling height on that contraption would be an act of faith

I do believe that the next revolution is in the flying industry. Soon you will have flying cars, although it wont be earth bound GM or Ford developing them. Maybe Honda or Toyota though.
There is alot of new technology in smaller jets that is interesting. The flying cars are another pointless, annoying ad campaign, give me a warranty for 100K, a competetive price with better engineered German and Japanese models and the cheesy commercials to a minimum, although the scene of a Hummer flying is as ironic as it is stupid .

And this from Google Earth.

Proof that flying cars exist!

I get that, but I still disagree. I don't care if it's for a product or not. As far as I'm concerned, the way of life that is shown in most TV/film IS a product. Therefore, if I'm watching a web piece, or a movie, or TV, or even theater or live entertainment, it still is advertising something, whether it be the artist's POV, or whether it's designed to keep me in my seat to watch some other advertising, or whether it's direct advertising doesn't matter to me. Media is advertising. And I was greatly amused by the GM viral ads, but it doesn't make me think of their corporation or product any differently.