We’re pretty sure wireless network operator Mobilicom has today become the first ever ASX-listed company to make an announcement about flying cars.

“Selected for communications Robotics flying car technology”, says the ASX announcement headline.

Communications specialist Mobilicom (ASX:MOB) is best known for its wireless “mesh” network which connects phone users to each other’s handsets without the need for phone towers.

Most recently the Israeli tech company announced it was testing an “augmented reality” feature which would let rescue workers “see” a remote view of an emergency situation in real time.

But today the Israeli tech company took its “news-flow” to a new level, declaring it had been chosen to supply communications technology for the “Cormorant” — an unmanned aerial vehicle that’s being developed into a flying car.

“We are proud to take part of this innovative flying car project”, Mobilicom chief Oren Elkayam said in a rather under-stated quote.

Mobilicom will work with Israeli drone maker Tactical Robotics, developer of the Cormorant — which received widespread media coverage a few years ago when it was known as the AirMule.

The Cormorant cargo and casualty evacuation drone is a vTOL — a Vertical Take off and Landing vehicle  designed to be a first-responder in emergencies such as floods and earthquakes.

Mobilicom’s (ASX:MOB) MCU-30 wireless technology will be the communication component in the vehicle.

Mobilicom’s shares (ASX:MOB) over the past 12 months.

The Cormorant will also be the foundation of a flying car product, known as CityHawk, which is now in development by a subsidiary of Tactical’s parent company, Urban Aeronautics.

“While CityHawk will initially be piloted by a human pilot, the vehicle’s flight control and flight management systems will be capable of a high degree of autonomy from the outset,” Urban Aeronautics said in April last year.

“The technology is being developed and tested on Tactical Robotics’ Cormorant prototype which already flies fully autonomously. As the technology of autonomy and regulatory infrastructure mature, CityHawk will eventually transport passengers robotically.”

Tactical Robotics , which is owned by Urban Aeronautics, has completed a successful “first mission” demonstrating theCormorant aircraft.

In the short-term the tech aims to be a more cost-effective alternative to helicopter fleets which tend to be used for projects like inspection of electrical grids.

“Mobilicom’s Communications Units suit the Cormorant’s missions perfectly with a compact design and secured and encrypted private network,” Mr Elkayam said.

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