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Video Purports To Show Successful Hover Bike Test Flights

Posted by Soulskill on from the bumpercars:-the-next-generation dept.

Zothecula writes "Videos released by California-based tech research company Aerofex appear to show successful test flights of a prototype hover bike that gains lift from two large ducted rotors. Aeroflex claims its hover bike allows the pilot intuitive control over pitch, roll and yaw without need of artificial intelligence, flight software or electronics of any kind."

2 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. WASP X-Jet by Penurious+Penguin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    And somehow, for some reason of time rather garbled and strange, this seems so boring in comparison to this wonderful antique: Williams WASP X-Jet

    I'm not saying I don't want one, but if given the choice....

    --
    Forward! -- Emperor Norton, 2012
  2. Re:Oh! Look! by wvmarle · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The article claims they flew it at 15 ft, and that they think they can way higher like 10,000 ft: if true that's definitely not just ground effect, but unfortunately video doesn't even show the 15 ft trials, only hovering really close to the ground. I would expect them to show off their top tests too.

    The think I'm mostly wondering about is stability. How do they do that? Hovercrafts are notorious for their instability, especially smaller craft. Flying them is a tough balancing act.

    At least the videos look genuine to me, so it seems to be a real product. Oh well, time will tell how true it all is.