Criminals beware, police officers are now taking their duties to the skies, too.
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Weeks after Tesla stunned the internet with its flying car showcase, a police department in Florida has added a flying vehicle to its fleet.
The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department in Lakeland has introduced a flying patrol vehicle.
The university has even given the gravity-defying vehicle a nickname: Astro.
Operated by a human pilot, the aircraft weighs 154 pounds without its battery and can remain in the air for about 20 minutes.
Astro is the nation's first flying electric police vehicle.
Powered by eight electric motors, Astro can travel up to 63 MPH. The first-of-its-kind aircraft uses vertical takeoff and landing technology, meaning that it does not require a runway to take flight.
Pilots use a four-axis joystick to navigate the aircraft.
The university believes Astro can be a major asset to law enforcement, especially during storms, when roads aren't as visible or easy to access.
Police Chief Aaron Murray believes Astro could help officers monitor the campus and reach places that traditional vehicles cannot easily access.
"Advanced air mobility is a technology on the rise. We can either choose to be proactive or reactive as it develops," Murray said.
Astro Requires FAA Approval Before Law Enforcement Use
Astro's manufacturer, Jetson, shares that the aircraft has a 210-pound weight limit. Astro takes roughly 90 minutes to fully charge using a 240-volt connection. Charging through a standard household outlet takes about three hours.
Officials say the aircraft could assist officers in finding missing people and reaching remote areas.
Astro still needs FAA authorization before officers can use it for operational police patrols.
Based on recent developments, it appears that flying cars are not as far-fetched as they once seemed.
