It is the dream for millions of sci-fi fans - a working hoverbike.
Now, a British inventor has revealed a fully working version you can buy.
However, there is one slight snag - it's only the third the size of the real thing.
The hoverbike is here! The 1/3 scale version of the bike being piloted by a 3d printed robo-pilot
A mockup of the full sized hoverbike, which the firm hopes to fund by selling the smaller drone version.
HOW IT WORKS
The 'hoverbike' is similar to a quadcopter, using four standard helicopter style rotors, overlapped with each other.
It is controlled using a standard RC handset, and can also be programmed to fly a set path.
A humanoid 'pilot' can also be bought or 3D printed - and has space it its head for a 3D printed.
It is controlled using a standard RC handset, and can also be programmed to fly a set path.
A humanoid 'pilot' can also be bought or 3D printed - and has space it its head for a 3D printed.
The firm says it producing a 1/3 sized version of its design to help fund the full sized prototype.
'This
drone was originally built as a proof of concept for our latest
full-sized Hoverbike prototype,' said Chris Malloy, the drone's inventor.
'After
testing the 1/3rd Hoverbike, we realized that it had lots of features
that made it a fantastic drone, not only this - selling this scale
Hoverbike to the public would allow us to raise funds to continue the development of the manned version.
'The objective of this campaign is to kick-start sales
of our beautiful 1/3rd scale Hoverbike drone and accessories via your
pledges, and to help create a long term income stream that we can use to
continue development of the manned Hoverbike,' it says.
The full sized design uses a motorcycle engine and controls.
However, the smaller version uses electric motors, and can be controlled using a standard RC helicopter controller.
The hoverbike in action - complete with its 3D printed humanoid robot driver.
The drone is made up of four blade, which give it its stability.
The firm says its full sized version could be used to commute on.
The
futuristic prototype has the potential to travel up to 92 miles or for
about 45 minutes on one tank of fuel and is expected to come with a
hefty price tag of more than £45,000.
So
far the bike, which weighs 270kgs, has only been tested while tethered
to the ground to prevent it flying too high. But plans to test it's
capabilities without any restrictions are set to go-ahead soon.
The firm will also make a 3D printable pilot, who can have a Go Pro camera fitted in his 'head' to record flights
'We
combined the simplicity of a motorbike and the freedom of a helicopter
to create the world’s first flying motorcycle,' it said.
'When
compared with a helicopter, the Hoverbike is cheaper, more rugged and
easier to use - and represents a whole new way to fly.
'The
Hoverbike flies like a quadcopter, and can be flown unmanned or manned,
while being a safe - low level aerial workhorse with low on-going
maintenance.'
The firm says it is almost ready to begin flight testing of the full sized version.
Futuristic: Helicopter pilot Chris Malloy tests his incredible contraption - the world's first flying motorcycle
Big screen: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie
Fisher) battle a Stormtrooper on their speeder bike in Star Wars Return of the
Jedi
'We
are in the final construction stages of the latest manned prototype of
Hoverbike, and in a few months we will start flight testing.
'After
the successful completion of test flights we will build a final
engineering prototype for submission to aviation certification
authorities.
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