Toyota patents shape-shifting flying car with flexible body
Toyota has filed a US patent for a flying car concept with a flexible frame and concealed wings, offering a new approach to transforming road vehicles into aircraft.
Toyota has secured a US patent for a flying car concept featuring a flexible body and retractable wings, according to documents published in June 2016. The design, which was first filed in December 2014, describes a road vehicle capable of transforming into an aircraft by reshaping its bodywork to reveal flight surfaces.
Unlike previous flying car concepts, Toyota’s patent does not rely on folding wings that extend from the sides. Instead, the wings are stored entirely within the fuselage when not in use. The rear section of the vehicle is designed with flexible panels that can be moved or contracted to allow the wings to deploy. Once the vehicle transitions to flight mode, the panels open to release the wings and expose a rear-mounted propeller.
How Toyota’s flying car concept works
The patent outlines three distinct methods for wing concealment and deployment. In one scenario, flexible body sections contract to make space for the wings to extend. Another approach sees these sections expand, while a third uses movable panels to cover and uncover the flight surfaces as needed. Each technique aims to preserve a streamlined appearance and road-going practicality when the vehicle is not airborne.
- Flexible sections contract to allow wing deployment
- Flexible sections expand to reveal wings
- Movable panels cover and uncover wings
Toyota’s design also incorporates a rear-mounted propeller for propulsion in flight mode, distinguishing it from ground-based hybrids or conventional road vehicles. The patent does not detail a production timeline or confirm any intention to manufacture the vehicle, and at the time of publication, the concept remains at the patent stage.
Flying car patents and the wider context
The patent’s publication comes as interest in flying car technology increases, with various companies and investors exploring different approaches to urban air mobility. Toyota has previously attracted attention for unconventional vehicle projects, including an electric wooden car. The company’s move to patent a flexible flying car design highlights ongoing research into alternative transport solutions, though there is no indication of a commercial launch.
