This article needs to be updated. (April 2018) |
The Aero-X hoverbike is an aircraft created by Aerofex, an aerospace engineering corporation based in Los Angeles, designed to carry up to two people. It is not known when it will be released for sale.
Vehicle
editAerofex say that the vehicle rises 10 feet from the ground and can travel at a maximum of 45 miles per hour. It is expected weigh 785lb and be 15 feet in length.[1] The bike runs for around 75 minutes on a full tank of fuel.[2]
The Aero-X does not fly with the same energy efficiency as a helicopter, due to its rotor blades being shorter, but it is much smaller in size and safer near humans.[3] This craft does not produce the brownout of helicopters, as it is designed to be able to operate near people without blowing any significant amount of dust.
Development
editThe vehicle has been in development since 2008 and was originally planned for use by one person or as an unmanned drone.[3][4]
One of the difficulties of this technology involves stability and control, preventing the craft from frequent rollovers and crashes. To achieve this, Aerofex added two control bars which the rider can access at knee level and easily lean to one side or the other to balance the craft.[5]
The price has been given as $85,000.[1]
Planned usages
editThe planned usages include agricultural field work, delivering materials in rough terrain, and for search and rescue vehicles.[3] In December 2017 Aerofex received a second international patent in Japan. The Peripheral Control Ejectors (PCE) patented will allow Aerofex unmanned vehicles to spray crops. [6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Passary, Anu (16 May 2014). "Aero-X is a cool hover bike that can be yours in 2017... for $85,000". Tech Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Munbodh, Emma (19 May 2014). "Star Wars-style hoverbikes that 'float over ground at speeds of 42mph' to launch in 2017". Mirror. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ a b c Hsu, Jeremy (2012-08-20). "New hover vehicle is straight out of 'Star Wars'". Fox News. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
- ^ Netburn, Deborah (23 August 2012). "Hover bike lets you fly over desert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Aerofex hover-bike more than a flight of fancy". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia Network. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "SECOND INTERNATIONAL PATENT GRANTED FOR AEROFEX CONTROL TECHNOLOGY". Aerofex. Aerofex. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2018.