CES 2021: General Motors Presents A Flying Cadillac

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is usually one of the big highlights at the beginning of the year. This year, however, things are also different here than in the past. Because a trade fair with massive numbers of visitors is simply inconceivable in times of the corona pandemic. The CES will therefore also take place exclusively online this year. Many smaller companies that have provided particularly imaginative gadgets in recent years are therefore not represented this time. Numerous well-known brands used the opportunity at least for a presentation via live stream. The same goes for the General Motors auto company. This, however, by no means just presented a new model. Instead, there was an insight into the future of mobility with autonomous - and even flying - vehicles.

So far, the study only offers space for one person

So the concept study of a flying Cadillac was presented. The developers have moved a long way away from the classic design of an automobile. Instead, the construction is more reminiscent of a futuristic flying object from the Star Wars universe. The high-flyer is lifted into the air by four rotors driven by a 90 kilowatt-hour electric motor. Currently, however, only one person could fly the special Cadillac at a time. This is not entirely unproblematic. Because so far most usage concepts for flying cars or drones provide that they are initially used for commercial passenger transport. However, as long as a pilot has to be on board, the new Cadillac cannot be used for this. General Motors has therefore already announced that it will also work on a study with two seats.

With the autonomous vehicles, GM wants to attack again

However, these are still pure design studies. It is therefore anything but certain that the flying Cadillac will actually be sold. At least some of the ideas and approaches presented are likely to be implemented in the medium to long term. In addition to the flying car, General Motors also presented a self-driving family shuttle without a steering wheel or pedals. As a special feature, sensors have also been integrated that can record the health of the passengers. Basically, autonomously driving vehicles are no longer a real sensation. The fact that the group nevertheless drew attention to this second concept study should also be understood as a declaration of war. When it comes to electric drives, Tesla is currently ahead of the game. When it comes to autonomous cars, however, what was once the world's largest car manufacturer wants to be at the forefront right from the start.