Flying Motorbikes Are Here... At Flying Car Prices!

[Admin]

If a flying car doesn't really appeal to you, how about a flying bike? A California company is apparently on the verge of making this dream a reality.

 

However, much like the flying cars of today, this product too will not come cheap. The company, Hoversurf, claims to have developed their own engines and computerized flight systems to make their ‘aerial motorbike’ effective, safe and manoeuvrable in the air. All this translates into an asking price of $150,000. For this, you get an impressive, drone-like machine capable of propelling you into the air at something like automobile speeds.

 

What is the Flying Motorbike and Where Does It Come From?

 

This new type of vehicle is called the Hoverbike eVTOL S3 2019. Its makers, Hoversurf, say that the product is ready for sale.

 

eVTOL refers to the battery technology found in the product, a form of the lithium-nickel-manganese block that powers the Hoverbike’s four large propellers. Indeed, the vehicle does closely resemble a drone and is even referred to as one in the company’s product-information material. However, this drone is capable of lifting a human (who weighs about 250 pounds or less) up to 16 feet off the ground. This human can sit on the Hoverbike, and control it via front-mounted stalks, much like a regular motorbike.

 

 

A shot of the Hoverbike in flight. (Source: Howversurf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoversurf claims that their new “personal drone” can fly at up to 60 miles per hour. However, as with many other pro-sumer drones, it can only do so for about 25 minutes at a time. The company asserts, however, that the onboard computer is equipped with the flight-modeling and fail-safes necessary to control the risks of collisions or fatal cut-outs in the air. This modeling is also intended to address other dangers, including wind speed and turbulence while flying.

 

So, Who Gets to Fly a Hoverbike?

 

As with Terrafugia’s latest 'flying car,' the Hoverbike does not require that the user have a pilot’s license or other specialist training. Hoversurf commented on this saying that it has been categorized as an ‘ultralight aircraft’ by the FAA, thus rendering its use unrestricted and without the need for certification (in the United States, at least).

 

However, a potential customer may need the financial flexibility needed to rationalize spending over $100,000 on what is essentially a giant bike-sized drone. These enthusiasts could also be advised to wear a helmet while riding their new flying bikes.

 

Speaking of flying vehicles, the Hoverbike is not the only product its manufacturer has in mind. Hoversurf also seems to be working on developing flying taxis too. This new type of drone is also powered by eVTOL technology and is portrayed as having an enclosed cabin. The “electric flying car” may be propelled by Hoversurf’s new type of engine, the Venturi. The company claims that this is a hybrid between the engines of an aircraft and helicopter but gains additional jet-stream by sucking ordinary air into it, which, in turn, increases efficiency and reduces noise.

 

New Type of Taxi, New Type of Engine

 

The Venturi’s moving parts are all contained within a carbon-fiber shell, which is intended to boost safety and also reduce the engine’s volume. The company has also apparently secured a patent for the Venturi engine. These may be incorporated into the ‘drone taxi’ (also known as Project Formula) to give it vertical take-off and landing. This vehicle is also described as containing sensors for a 3D perspective of its surroundings and object recognition, which may be controlled by an AI for safe and effective flight. It is also to be equipped with an airbag, a ballistic parachute and landing gear in cases of difficult landings or adversity during flight.

 

In addition, from the implication of the title 'drone taxi' and the fact that the scope for only one passenger is mentioned, it appears that this vehicle is also to be driverless. In that case, it is to be hoped that it comes equipped with mapping, traffic control and aerial co-ordination systems like those proposed by a team at MIT for such flying vehicles.

 

Hoversurf does not mention plans to market or sell this particular product (i.e., the taxi), any time soon. However, it is yet another exciting hint of a future with real, personal flying machines!

 

 

[pmccarthy]

I think the term CHOPPER will apply here, the chopped meat being the pilot or his mates on the ground.

 

 

[Thruster88]

Colin Furze (in my top 5 Of youtubers) built  one in his shed some time ago so there should be good factory sorted machines available now. 

 

 

[onetrack]

The machine leaves more questions unanswered than it answers. 

 

Q 1. How are the authorities going to treat this machine? It's an aircraft, so where are the rules and regulations for the operation of this thing?

 

Q 2. At a maximum height of 16 feet, it's not going to clear a lot of powerlines and other aerial wiring in populated areas. In fact, it will be in direct conflict with them.

 

So it would have to be operated at around head height or even less. That makes it exceptionally dangerous for people on the ground.

 

Q 3. I can see some potential for the rig to be used in emergency work in marshy ground, exploration in remote areas, and in farming operations, in open paddocks/fields.

 

But if the countryside needing to be accessed has trees more than 16 feet high, what then? Duck between the trees, and duck the passing swishing branches? 

 

I think the applications for the machine are going to be extremely limited, and the controls of its operation, very tight.

 

Meantimes, back at the Ranch - how are the Dubai Police getting on, with their hoverbikes??

 

New Atlas - Dubai Police hoverbikes

 

Can you imagine what a bank-robbing crim could do with a high-powered weapon - or even a shotgun, to one of these things?? Talk about a suicide mission.

 

I guess the next American version will have it sorted - a .50 cal Browning MG mounted in front of the operator, will be their answer. ?

 

 

[farri]

" Hoversurf, say that the product is ready for sale."

 

I find it amazing that anyone would build something like that and offer it for sale without adequate guards around the propellers! Absolutely crazy!!! 

 

Regulations? Well, if there are none, I`m sure some will be drawn up!

 

Franco.

 

 

[onetrack]

I find it amazing that anyone would build something like that and offer it for sale without adequate guards around the propellers! Absolutely crazy!!!

Frank, are you actually saying, that this thing is just not safe, thanks to a lack of safety guarding? ?

 

Yes, someone could really get injured by those exposed, flailing propellers, if it fell out of the sky!! ? ?

 

Seriously, I wonder what was going through the designers minds, as regards the prop design, anyway.

 

If you install ducting around the props, you get improved airflow, as well as the necessary protective guarding, all in the one design improvement.

 

 

[turboplanner]

People love to float thought bubbles; the ones I love the most are autonomous electric trucks with windscreens and radiator grilles.

 

 

[farri]

Frank, are you actually saying, that this thing is just not safe, thanks to a lack of safety guarding? ?

Nah! Not at all!!! As long as the rider/pilot is flying it in the middle of nowhere, without a soul in sight, he should be OK as long as he`s wearing a helmet with a face guard! No?... ..Oh! and he doesn`t crash it.... 

 

 

[turboplanner]

and preferable doesn't stick his leg out by mistake.