For those who are fans of sci-fi, you will enjoy this A.L.I Technologies. This Japan-based start-up has developed a world-first flying bike or new fully-fledged hoverbike XTURISMO.
XTURISMOis the world’s first flying motorbike which is propelled by four electric motors and an internal combustion engine that runs on petrol to power the six blades to lift off and navigate — with two larger blades, front and back, and two on each side. This allows XTURISMO to fly for up to 40 minutes at speeds of up to 62 mph or 100-km/hour; however, its maximum speed still hasn’t been disclosed yet.
As for the dimension and looks, the Xturismo stretch 12 feet in length, 8 feet wide, and 5 feet in height with a striking black and the red paint job looks. XTURISMO weighs 300kg, and even though it is much larger and heavier than a regular motorbike, it still retains a similar silhouette save for the giant propellers and landing skids. Unfortunately, it offers only a single-seating set-up, limiting the fun.
According to the President and CEO of A.L.I. technology, he mentions that “It is expected that air mobility will expand in the future, but first of all, it is expected to be used in circuits, mountainous areas, at sea, and in times of disaster. I am happy to introduce it as the first step of the XTURISMO that is being done and as one of the new lifestyles.”
Plus, the Tokyo-based drone startup, which is sponsored by soccer star Keisuke Honda as well as industry heavyweights Mitsubishi Electric and Kyocera, are hoping for widespread adoption of the XTURISMO. It may potentially one day help ease traffic congestion in cities like Tokyo, which has a population of 13.5 million. However, this would require a change in the law; existing regulation prohibits hoverbikes from flying over Japan’s congested highways.
“Until now, the choice has been to move on the ground or at scale in the sky and we hope to offer a new method of movement” according to Reuters.
For those interested in XTURISMO, pre-orders are being accepted now with a starting price of US$682,000 (RM2.83 million), which includes taxes and insurance premiums. However, delivery is planned for the first half of 2022. More information will be available on the official website.
