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Flying Jet-Powered Hoverboard Now a Reality (theverge.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the Green-Goblin-gliders dept.

Zapata Racing has begun testing prototypes of a new jet-powered hoverboard called the "Flyboard Air". The Verge published a new interview with the company's CEO, who confirms that a backpack full of kerosene-grade fuel powers the flying hoverboard's four 250-horsepower turboengines, with two more engines used for stabilizaton. Capable of flying up to 100 miles per hour, the jet-powered hoverboard uses an internal algorithm to adjust the thrust and angle of each turboengine, so "It's like we have six systems working together plus my brain and my legs." The company hopes to ultimately interest the military and security sectors in the technology, but they're also working on a smaller version that could be piloted while sitting, which the CEO describes as "extremely small, extremely stable, and something that you can take to go and buy your bread in the morning."

4 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Economics 101 by AchilleTalon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "...something that you can take to go and buy your bread in the morning."

    That makes plenty of sense to burn 10 gallons of kerosene to get a loaf of bread.

    --
    Achille Talon
    Hop!
  2. Re:Far superior to quadrocopters by SuricouRaven · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You could, yes. But there's still a fundamental problem. Flying demands a great deal of power, which is why drones have such short battery life and why this thing is going to guzzle fuel. It might have a niche as a recreational vehicle for the suitably rich, but the running cost means flight is not a viable means of personal transport. If it were, we'd all be commuting in helicopters - they are already mass-produced, but the running cost is just too high for you to built a helepad on your driveway and avoid the traffic jams.

  3. Problems by currently_awake · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you hit a micro-burst (sudden change in air speed) you will get blown off and fall to your death. Having a drone deliver your bread would be more convenient. Flying into a house at a hundred miles per hour would hurt. A bird strike would hurt. You think you'll see power lines at that speed? Ensure you have a backup fuel gauge.

  4. Zowie! by Opyros · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This may revolutionize everyday life as much as the Segway did!! Uh, wait a minute—