A POLISH start-up has offered us a glimpse at a Star Wars-laden future after launching a remarkable flying bike.
The real life ‘speeder bike’ was first unveiled on 30 April in footage showing it taking off and landing in a wooded area.
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The video is stripped back, with real sound and no special effects.
The company also stresses that no CGI or artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to enhance the footage.
That means the days of bikes and cars zooming above our heads is nearly here – with heavy emphasis on the ‘nearly’.
The flying bike, from Poland-based startup Volonaut, uses redundant jet turbines to beam a solo passenger through the sky at up to 63mph (102kmph).
Riders can fly through tight areas with ease due to its lack of spinning propellers, according to Volonaut.
Thanks to carbon fiber materials and 3D printing, the Airbike is seven times lighter than a typical motorcycle, Volonaut added.
The video shows a test pilot heavily cladded in protective gear riding a bike that has so far only existed in sci-fi movies.
The aircraft is the brainchild of Polish inventor Tomasz Patan, who is also behind the Jetson One – a type of futuristic air buggy.
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While Patan’s company Jetson continues works on a £68,000 flying car, his second firm Volonaut is working on a separate hoverbike.
The Airbike is the first hoverbike to achieve flight without traditional propellers, Volonaut claims on its website.
Though riders won’t be airborne for long.
The Airbike can only hover off the ground for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time.
While Volonaut claims the hoverbike takes under 60 seconds to refuel, 10 minutes of air travel even at max speeds won’t get you very far.
The flight was “exceptionally smooth”, according to the startup, “with no vibrations and great degree of control”.
Volonaut has said the bike will be available for pre-order on 1 August.
However, the company has not mentioned a manufacturing or distribution timeline.
It has also remained tight-lipped as to the price tag.
Therefore, it’s unclear just how much money Airbike hopefuls will have to part with – or when the aircraft will arrive at their doorstep if they do.
While Volonaut’s Airbike has definitely captured interest in personal VTOL innovations, it is interesting to note that, as of this writing, the company has not filed patents.
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