Whether you grew up with 'The Jetsons' or 'Back To The Future', part of any child's vision of the future included cruising to work in your very own flying car.
One company determined not to disappoint a generation of aspirational kids is Terrafugia, a Massachusetts based team already known for making the Transition (see video below).
Now they have gone a step further and announced they are developing a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle called the TF-X which could, in theory, hop over traffic and fly for 500 miles.
Terrafugia (which translates as "escape the Earth") CEO, Carl Dietrich, said in a statement: "Terrafugia is about increasing the level of safety, simplicity, and convenience of aviation.
"TF-X is an opportunity to provide the world with a new dimension of personal freedom."
Terrafugia Flying Cars
Terrafugia TF-X (Concept)(01 of12)
Open Image ModalTerrafugia TF-X (Concept)(02 of12)
Open Image ModalTerrafugia TF-X (Concept)(03 of12)
Open Image ModalTerrafugia TF-X (Concept)(04 of12)
Open Image ModalTerrafugia TF-X (Concept)(05 of12)
Open Image ModalTerrafugia 'Flying Car'(06 of12)
Open Image ModalThe wings fold up in a demonstration of the Terrafugia 'Flying Car' during the first day of press previews at the New York International Automobile Show April 4, 2012 in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(07 of12)
Open Image ModalThe wings fold up in a demonstration of the Terrafugia 'Flying Car' during the first day of press previews at the New York International Automobile Showon April 4, 2012 in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(08 of12)
Open Image ModalThe wings fold up in a demonstration of the Terrafugia 'Flying Car' during the first day of press previews at the New York International Automobile Show on April 4, 2012 in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(09 of12)
Open Image ModalThis March 23, 2012 photo provided by Terrafugia Inc. shows the company's prototype flying car, dubbed the Transition, during its first flight. The vehicle has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car, and flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes during the test. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet. (AP Photo/Terrafugia.com) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(10 of12)
Open Image ModalThis March 23, 2012 photo provided by Terrafugia Inc. shows the company's prototype flying car, dubbed the Transition, during its first flight. The vehicle has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car, and flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes during the test. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet. (AP Photo/Terrafugia.com) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:AP)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(11 of12)
Open Image Modal (credit:Alamy)
Terrafugia 'Flying Car'(12 of12)
Open Image Modal (credit:Alamy)
The TF-X it would be far closer to the dream of a car that can fly than the Transition, which even Terrafugia admits is more like a plane you can drive.
The vehicles propellors on the end of its compact wings tilt to allow for varying lift and thrust, and it has an emergency parachute if things go wrong.
The concept for the new vehicle is certainly an enticing one although the thought of countless personal vehicles taking off and landing all over the place is going to have to be accompanied by a huge rethink in civil aviation laws.
Even Terrafugia admit development is expected to last 8-12 years, but if you're confident in your need for such a machine you can already reserve one at their website.