SciFi Future - Hoverbikes
Woohoo, a future without roads and all the potholes, brought to you by a Japanese startup A.L.I. Technologies which is calling their hoverbike Japan’s XTURISMO flying bike.
Mocked up model - looks very much like a huge drone - powered from each corner and an internal combustion engine (ICE). Additionally, there are two sets of larger blades as used to take-off and landing as well as flight.
How fast can one go? 100km/hour (62.13mph) for up to 40-minutes, so you can't take it for long trips at this point.
How large is this hoverbike? it weighs in at 300kg (660 pounds), in regard to size its LxWxH 3.7m (12') x 2.4m (7') x 1.5m (4') so its about the same size as an automobile (mid-sized)
How many riders? At this point, only a single rider thus limiting the carrying capacity and potentially the fun. Unless you have several rich friends and you start a racing league.
How many will be produced for 1st run? A.L.I. Technologies has committed to producing 200 for initial run.
How will legacy societies accept the flying vehicle? That remains to be seen, I can assume that Governments will be slow to react at first until someone dies from an accident or causes major destruction or both.
Are they priced for everyone? Well not exactly.. they are priced at nearly $700,000. Yeah, that is not a typo, $700K makes it more expensive than all but the highest end automobiles, maybe excluding Rolls Royce and Bentley. Perhaps, they will come down in price as more are produced? Needless to say I can't afford one and the current market options are available and in my price range.
Summary - A super cool concept just perhaps reserved for a renting experience or superrich. I am bummed for certain!!!
Disclaimer - I am not an employee nor an agent of A.L.I. Technologies, although it sounds super exciting and will watch what the future holds from them
