Once, the idea of a personal transportation device that was part magic carpet, part motorcycle and part helicopter was the stuff of science fiction. Not anymore. After all, why drive when you can fly on a Hoverbike?
The Hoverbike was revealed last week by Hoversurf, a Russian company. Entrepreneurs have tried this technology before with limited success. The first step to a viable vehicle was to design one that did not seem to try to kill you. Chris Malloy, an Australian inventor, has a version that could potentially fly at 3,000 metres at 278km/h -- if anyone dare fly it.
Drones have now become ubiquitous in our lower air space so it was only a matter of time before these self-stabilizing devices became more powerful with the ability to transport packages as is currently being demonstrated by retailers like Amazon. Take this one step further and individual human flight becomes a possibility.
The latest news is that a Russian group has invented a hoverbike that really works. Although it is early in the process but already a daring pilot has taken to the air. Hoversurf has demonstrated a unique electric-powered vehicle that combines a motorcycle seat with quad-copter drone technology offering speed, agility and stability of flight under controlled conditions.
This particular Hoverbike is based upon the Scorpion 3 platform. This drone platform, also developed by Hoversurf, can be used as the basis of a number of different applications including heavy lifting. It could also in the future form the basis of a flying car!
The Scorpion 3 is being used by a Chinese drone company, E-Hang which is the firm working on the much-anticipated flying taxis of Dubai. It is anticipated that flights of up to 23 minutes could start from as early as this July, carrying one passenger and a bag.
Right now the flying bike is envisioned to be suitable for extreme sports enthusiasts but who knows what the future may bring? There are many potential applications from public transport to transporting water or supplies in emergency circumstances.
The parts required to build these drones is readily available and many backyard inventors are pushing the technology forward although safety is not always at the forefront. If the rotors are built beneath the pilot then this could be an issue when landing; they could be easily affected by strong, stormy winds and the proximity of flesh so close to fast-moving parts must be a concern. Best to leave this early form of 21st century manned flight to the experts.
Today's personal transport is changing. Alternative fuels are replacing fossil fuels in our cars. How long before we, as drivers, take to the skies?
