Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a prototype vehicle that he claims can fly, showcasing its airborne capabilities in a demonstration outside a Texas SpaceX facility. The event has generated a significant online reaction, reminiscent of the buzz surrounding the Cybertruck's reveal.
During the presentation, Musk stated the car was remotely piloted "to make sure we don't kill anyone." The demonstration showed the vehicle driving upside down using suction, then ascending a ramp, launching into the air, using rockets to orient itself, and landing safely. Musk explained the car uses SpaceX thrusters in the rear and on its underside, allowing it to "fly like a rocket." He acknowledged it is "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" and suggested it would be "long-term the only manually driven car that Tesla makes."
Musk indicated that the flying Roadster is slated for production in 2028. Reactions on social media have varied. Actor Christopher Lloyd, known for his role as Doc Brown in the Back to the Future films, shared his excitement, posting, "Finally...flying cars." Other users shared highlight reels of the demonstration, with some comparing it to the video game Rocket League.
However, the announcement has also been met with considerable skepticism. Tech influencer MKBHD questioned the feasibility, tweeting, "They really just got on stage and said this newly designed 4,000+ pound car can do flips and go half the speed of sound (380+mph) and will ship in 2028. This is a prank, right?" NASA administrator Jared Isaacman expressed a mix of awe and doubt, remarking, "Hard to think of a wilder product unveiling. Not sure how quickly drivers are going to be leaping over each other in traffic, but damn, this was a cool way to introduce Roadster to the world."
It remains to be seen whether the flying Roadster will reach production or meet regulatory standards for street legality. Musk expressed optimism for a customer release in the coming years, but the actualization of such a vehicle is still uncertain.