Are Flying Taxis Coming To Texas?

The next time you call a taxi, it may fly you to wherever you're going. That is, IF you're in certain, (ok, the biggest), Texas cities.

Remember the flying taxi's in The 5th Element? (How could you forget Milla Jovovich, wearing only medical tape?) If you think that looked like a fun career, Texas may soon be the place for you. No promises though as far as catching half naked hotties on the job.

Granted, the flying cabs in The 5th Element looked like actual, old school cars while todays "flying taxis" look like ... well, great big drones to be honest.

What Do Flying Taxis Look Like?

I'm not sure I'd get in one of them to be honest. They really do look like great big drones with no car - like features at all. On the outside anyway.

If the inside has seats torn by dog paws, empty coke cans on the back seat floor and a little yellow "check engine" light permanently lit on the dash board, (like my car), I might feel more at home.

Seriously, these things are coming to Texas in the next couple of years.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved eight pilot programs that will allow a handful of companies, including Archer Aviation (ACHR), Beta Technologies (BETA), Joby Aviation (JOBY), and Wisk to start widespread electric aircraft testing as early as this summer.

How Many States Want Flying Taxis?

The three-year program, which will span 26 states, is designed to ensure U.S. companies lead the way in next-gen aircraft used for personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, and emergency medicine ..." - finance.yahoo.com

What Texas Cities Will Test Flying Taxis?

The Texas Department of Transportation will work with Archer, Beta, Joby, and Wisk to test regional flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston. - finance.yahoo.com

READ MORE: El Paso Police Have A Drone Fleet 

That's 4 out of the 5 biggest Texas cities and the plan is to branch out from them. If El Paso starts using these, how long before our air space is crammed with orange barrels and " right cloud closed, 1 mile" signs?

New Mexico is getting in on the action too. Albuquerque has teamed up with Reliable Robotics for their program. (Their air space will be loaded with DWI checkpoints.)