A new version of Tesla’s Roadster electric sports car, equipped with thrusters which apparently allow it to hover and turn in mid-air, has been unveiled in Texas.

“You’re going to see some crazy stuff tonight,” the car firm’s CEO Elon Musk said as he presented the vehicle at a facility owned by his SpaceX company, which helped develop the model.

Musk said an audience was needed to prove the car “is not AI”, before showing a demonstration of the Roadster driving up and off a steep ramp, spinning in the air, and landing using air jets.

But there are several reasons we’re unlikely to see a flying car on our roads anytime soon, as the BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman explains.

Video editor: Serene Khalifeh

CONTACT US

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Sending

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?