Japanese electronics giant NEC Corp on Monday tested its drone-like "flying car" prototype, which can hover steadily three meters above the ground for about one minute before settling back down, in the city of Abiko, situated around 22 miles from Tokyo. /VCG Photo

The vehicle is essentially a large battery-powered drone with four propellers, capable of carrying passengers. /VCG Photo

Japan's government aims to have people using "flying cars" by the 2030s and has backed the construction of a huge test course in an area devastated by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disasters in Fukushima. /VCG Photo

Using drones to carry people is nothing new. Similar projects are popping up around world, such as Uber Air of the U.S. and Flying Drone Taxis of the UAE's Dubai. /VCG Photo