Battery and hydrogen-powered aircraft are cleared for takeoff. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Air New Zealand has cleared its runways to test both all-electric and hydrogen-powered planes . Although in its early stages, the four-month "intensive proving program" may help one day usher in a new era of sustainable flight. Aircraft remain some of the biggest sources of vehicle-based pollution in the world.

Technologies such as supersonic flight, pilotless robot aircraft and even flapping wings are poised to reshape the way we fly. Some of these technologies - such as a rebirth for supersonic aircraft - are nearly at the testing stage now, others rely on more futuristic technologies that will evolve this century. Supersonic aircraft will return to the world's skies, drastically cutting travel times, predicts former pilot and Non-Executive Director at Panache Cruises Andrew Hayward. Companies such as Boom Technology aim to create supersonic passenger aircraft, which will be capable of flying 88 passengers at 1,304mph. Hayward says,'The main developments will be ducted fan engines (lower emissions), truss braced wings (more efficient), use of more composite materials (weight saving), and the re-introduction of supersonic travel.

Nathan E. Sanders is a data scientist and an affiliate with the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. Bruce Schneier is a security technologist and a fellow and lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School. Lobbying has long been part of the give-and-take among policymakers and advocates working to balance their competing interests, but some corporate entities are adept at using legal-but-sneaky strategies for tilting the rules in their favor. AI tools could make these kinds of sneaky strategies more widespread and effective. A natural opening for this technology comes in the form of microlegislation, a term for small pieces of proposed law that cater to narrow interests.

It's year five, or maybe ten, of "drones are going to revolutionize transport" and so far, we've got very little to show for it. Maybe it's time to put these foolish ambitions to rest and focus on where this technology could actually do some good, rather than pad out a billionaire's bottom line or let the rich skip traffic. The promise of drone deliveries, drone taxis, and personal drone attendants has never sat, or rather floated, right with me. There's so little to be gained, while braving so much liability and danger, and necessitating so much invention and testing. Why is anyone even pursuing this? I suspect it is the Jetsons-esque technotopianism instilled in so many of us from birth: It's only a matter of time and effort before we have the flying cars, subliminal learning pillows, and robot housekeepers we deserve, right?