The concept of flying cars have long been in the center of man's imagination. A number of studies have been made on building this flying machine that could also been driven on land, an aerocar.

Toyota - This Japanese company filed a patent called the stackable wing for an aerocar in March 2014. This patent has been recently approved.

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Aerocars not only lessen travel time but it also facilitates comfort to the operator.

However, to arrive to that point, car manufacturers had to go through a lot of hindrances, especially on how the car is designed. From the size to the weight to stability of the machine when flown, not to mention the hefty price tag it carries.

Toyota on the other hand hopes to bring their aerocar to the masses. With wings hidden in its roof, which could then be activated with a push of a button, they hope to solve the current struggles manufacturers face with the design.

Toyota's aerocar is powered by three rotors, two of which are horizontally oriented, one in front and one at the back of the car, and the other vertically oriented.

This aerocar is basically a car capable of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Toyota made sure that their aerocar is easy to operate to appeal to the general public.

Although Toyota's concept of an aerocar is mind-blowing, this company is not the first.  Different companies have made their own prototypes of a flying car.

It could be recalled that Henry Ford is an early proponent. He explored the concept of flying cars in the 1950s; however, he trashed his ideas after lost a good friend and co-pilot while testing his prototype.

Another active proponent is the group from MIT who had a number of manned flights using their prototype.

DARPA couldn't let mind-blowing concept go. Although they have not shown a flying prototype just yet, DARPA has continually explored this field.

In March 2013, a Slovakian company, Aeromobil, has announced that they will mass produce fully functioning aerocars by 2017. This announcement was made after they showed off their first working prototype in Montreal, the Globe and Mail reported.

Aeromobil 3.0 uses regular gas, fits into a parking space, and is able to land within 200 meters, with a top speed 200 km/h.

Toyota's patent application can be viewed at Free Patent Online.

TagsToyota, aerocar, Flying car, patent application, flying automobile