The small company Kitty Hawk in a released video on April 24th suggesting that the flying car is on its way. 

The Kitty Hawk Flyer, the vertical takeoff and landing or VTOL, is an open-seated prototype powered by eight battery powered propellers. Debuted by the start-up company Kitty Hawk, it is currently being used only over open waters, following the regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States. According to their set rules, the Kitty Hawk Flyer does not require a pilot's license, but can only be used for recreational flying in unoccupied areas. 

The Kitty Hawk Flyer, however, is not the only prototype for a flying car the company has plans for. Kitty Hawk, a small company based in Mountain View, California, dedicates themselves to the "dream of personal flight." Kitty Hawk is led by the technologist and CEO Sebastian Thrun, one of the founding members of the secretive research and development lab under Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL  ), Google X. Interestingly, the Silicon Valley company saw its early investments from the Google co-founder and current CEO Larry Page, who reportedly backed the company with over $100 million. Although the company is in the initial steps towards a finalized model of the Kitty Hawk Flyer, Page has already indicated his confidence in the company, saying "We've all had dreams of flying effortlessly. I'm excited that one day very soon I'll be able to climb onto my Kitty Hawk Flyer for a quick and easy personal flight."

© Kitty Hawk / Youtube.com

Although the possibility of flying cars is exciting, there are a few barriers that must be overcome before citizens can take off. Primarily, the United States would need to develop an air traffic control system, as well as regulated protocol for flying cars that need to pull aside in cases of emergencies. Moreover, the Kitty Flyer's source of power relies on the use of batteries. With battery-driven propellers, flights cannot remain in air for more than 50 miles. 

Although the start-up Kitty Hawk seems to be in the lead for releasing the world's first flying car, it faces competition from other companies like the French aerospace company Airbus (EPA: AIR) and the transportation network company Uber. Airbus has already announced multiple VTOL concepts, and desires to plan a test flight before the end of 2017. The French company does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. At a motor show in Geneva, Airbus presented a possible vehicle, Pop.Up, that could run both on ground and fly in the air. Meanwhile, Uber recently announced their desire to create an electric VTOL that would use landing pads called "vertiports." In addition, Uber wants to create a system of flying taxis in Dubai and Dallas by 2020. 

While the prototype Kitty Hawk Flyer has only been announced as of recently, the Kitty Hawk company already is creating their audience of enthusiasts. The start-up offers a $100 fee for a membership program, allowing members to sign up for a $2,000 discount on the retail price of their own Kitty Hawk Flyer, as well as a chance to ride a Flyer. 

Until then, the world will have to wait and see what is next in the development of a flying car. Kitty Hawk CEO Thrun puts it best, saying "This is clearly just the beginning of what will one day be possible with personal flight." Thrun continued, stating "I dream of a day when anyone, not just highly trained pilots, can safely operate a flying vehicle and experience the excitement that we're aiming for Kitty Hawk."