More than half of drivers would prefer to travel in a FLYING CAR than a driverless vehicle

Some 57 per cent of drivers would rather fly than hand over control
Idea of a flying car is most popular with 18-24-year-olds, a new study says
Taking to the skies rather than travelling in a self-driving car was a more popular idea among males than females

Published: 06:50 EST, 3 October 2016 | Updated: 08:53 EST, 3 October 2016

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In ten years, our roads could be full of self-driving cars.

Hundreds of companies are working towards the technology, intending to give us more time to dedicate our attention to other things.

But a new study shows many motorists do not plan on investing in the technology, and would even prefer to travel in a flying car rather than a driverless vehicle.

The survey found 57 per cent of UK drivers would opt for a hovering car over a self-driving car like Google's autonomous vehicle (pictured). The idea of a flying car was most popular with 18-24-year-olds

DRIVERLESS CAR ATTITUDES

The idea of a flying car was most popular with 18-24-year-olds, with 60.3 per cent saying that they would rather take to the skies than surrender control of the driving to an on-board computer.

In general, the survey found 57 per cent of UK drivers would opt for a hovering car over a self-driving car.

People aged 55-64 were not quite so enthusiastic, with 51.4 per cent choosing flying over a computer-controlled car.

Some 38.2 per cent said they would be highly unlikely to buy a driverless car in the next five years, even if the technology became more accessible and affordable.

When asked if they would give up driving completely if driverless cars were available, 73.7 per cent answered with a resounding 'no'.

While the idea of truly driverless cars may be some way off in the UK, new laws in California say that self-driving vehicles can travel on public roads without steering wheels, brake pedals or accelerators and most importantly, without human drivers.

But people might not be ready to accept this change, the new research says.

The survey found 57 per cent of UK drivers would opt for a hovering car over a self-driving car.

The idea of a flying car was most popular with 18-24-year-olds, with 60.3 per cent saying that they would rather take to the skies than surrender control of the driving to an on-board computer.

People aged 55-64 weren't quite so enthusiastic, with 51.4 per cent choosing flying over a computer-controlled car.

The idea of a flying car proved to be more popular with males, with 59.7 per cent given it the thumbs up, compared to 47.3 per cent of women.

The research, carried out by finance firm Varooma, showed how 1,591 Brits feel about autonomous cars.

Some 38.2 per cent said they would be highly unlikely to buy a driverless car in the next five years, even if the technology became more accessible and affordable.

Artist's concept of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft being developed by Aurora Flight Sciences for the US military is shown. Taxi-hailing firm Uber is currently looking into using similar technology for flying taxi drones

When asked if they would give up driving completely if driverless cars were available, 73.7 per cent answered 'no'.

UBER FLYING TAXIS

Taxi-finding app Uber is researching the plausibility of using vertical takeoff aircraft to fly its customers around cities.

The technology could be available within a decade, according to Jeff Holden, head of products at Uber.

However, the flying vehicles could ditch the driver.

The drones would be vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, machines with fixed wings and motors that can hover, take off and land vertically.

Some eight million driverless will be on Britain's roads by 2020, predicted a recent report from car maker Kia.

The research also predicted that in 25 years, driverless vehicles will have their own dedicated motorway lanes.

Dr Frank Shaw, of the Centre for Future Studies, who worked on the Kia study said:

'The future of the car industry is an exciting one, as there will be a transformation from an industry built by mechanics to one that is largely driven by software developers.

'There is considerable speculation in 2016 about autonomous driving, the full impacts of which will not become manifest until the 2040s.

'I am confident however that over the next 25 years, the industry and technology companies will deliver a safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly driving experience for everyone'.