Social Fiction Competition Entry: Opensource Helicopters

 Life as a young person in the world of 2050 should be poverty and unemployment free, accessible and equitable to all including the disabled. Technology and Innovation by then should be sustainable and lead to well being for everyone. One technology which might help realize these 2050 goals is the long dreamed vision of affordable commuting through the air. One solution involves utilization of open source ultralight helicopters to create not only congestion free commuting but also creation of formal jobs for the youth.

Open source ultralight helicopters can be produced in a decentralized way, as it’s occurring at the moment around the world. The desirable result is the flourishing of the global ultralight helicopter industry, offering affordable shared heli services which is liberating mobility and accessibility specially for the youth. These helis (like the ones on the right hand image) will reduce not only the traffic congestion on roads but also make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

These ultralight helicopters will transform economies as they lead to efficiency in traveling, cause the utilization of the massive funds previously dedicated for road and infrastructure for sustainable welfare and well being of the people, thus creating a more equitable world with significantly lower social problems. 

By 2050 a young person will live in a world with no need to waste valuable time and energy stuck in congested roads. Traveling across borders will be much more hassle free, opening up new frontiers for global opportunities through collaboration and closing the door to the troubling world created by human traffickers.

Poverty and unemployment will reduce as the economy of the tech and innovation hosting country benefits from global garnering interest in this transformative industry. This will lead to research and development cooperation where the early mover/ adopter country benefits most as they share technological know-how and tech transfer occurs.

Japan in its early industrial era focused on making automobiles affordable, which is one of the leading factors for Japan’s not only industrial success but also eradication of poverty. If any poor nation aims to succeed industrially, eradicate poverty and lead in tech, then venture into Urban Air Mobility (UAM) for the emerging markets with conventional ultralight helicopters. These helicopters (as shown in the left image) are not as high tech as the burgeoning electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircrafts coming from mostly the rich world, which means poorer nations will be able to manufacture, operate and maintain these ultralight helicopters.

In 2050 for a youth to be proud of their nation of origin and ethnicity, they need to see their country achieve great strides in eradication of poverty and be a place where inclusive employment takes place. That means employment opportunities for the disabled as well as the talented individuals who are likely to migrate to abroad for employment opportunities. Development and implementation of Ultralight helicopter production and service is just one of many solutions which is likely to have a positive impact on the nation which will not only fund but also adapt the helicopters for commuting. The youth of 2050 will be proud of their nation’s path to technological innovation and will inspire others to be technologically innovative.

As the population keeps increasing, especially in emerging countries, traffic congestion is likely to increase as well. So most of the developed world along with a few emerging markets have been working on very complex eVTOL for UAM. My solution for not only industrialization, but also poverty and unemployment eradication for 2050’s youth is more investment in breakthrough innovations and technologies, such as homebuilt DIY open source ultralight helicopters for commuting and courier services.