The vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) market is heating up. To accelerate the advent of urban air travel, companies are racing to develop the safest, most efficient technologies. Cars and private aircraft are the most common VTOL vehicles, but flying motorcycles are becoming popular.
Due to the lack of protective barriers, the flying motorcycle is a highly technical and expensive technology that requires perfect interaction between man and machine. But despite all the difficulties, some startups have made it possible.
Here are three flying motorcycles that exist in the real world today.
P2 Speeder
Few companies have been able to successfully develop flying motorcycles or will even take on such an important task. Mayman Aerospace, a jetpack aviation startup, has done exactly that with its flying motorcycle called the Micro-VTOL P2 Speeder.
Over the past decade, Jetpack Aviation has been at the forefront of micro-personal vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. With the Speeder’s wide range of applications a new standard is being set for flying motorcycle technology.
How does this work?
Instead of using batteries, electric motors and propellers like other flying motorcycle concepts, it has eight jet turbine engines. All engines use zero net carbon aviation fuel. The Speeder has a lightweight carbon fiber body and is the size of a standard naked road bike. This provides better ergonomics for the pilot for maximum aerodynamics.
Its modular design also allows for autonomous and remote flight. Imagine being able to get jet-powered drone delivery to remote areas, similar to the UK’s drone postal delivery service.
The vehicle produces 700 pounds of thrust and can lift 992 pounds. It has a range of 400 miles and a top speed of 500 mph, making it useful as a long distance cargo carrier. There’s also an industrial version with 1,200 pounds of thrust.
To accomplish this, the Speeder has four turbine engines. The pitch angles of the engines are controlled via the electronic onboard flight control system. When the system detects an unbalanced thrust angle, it automatically compensates.
Intended purpose
The P2 Speeder is intended for search and rescue, law enforcement, and military use. According to MilitaryLeaks, two versions will be available, one for recreational spec and one specifically for military and industrial use.
Mayman Aerospace pledges to push the boundaries of VTOL innovation. Technologies such as hydrogen-powered turbine engines, electric fan jets, turbofan propulsion and autonomous rescue systems can be expected in the future. The recreational version is estimated to cost $380,000, with commercial availability planned for 2023.
Xturismo Limited Edition
When it comes to game-changing technology, Japan has always been a leader. It’s no different in the flying motorcycle market. Students from the University of Tokyo founded A.L.I. Technologies in September 2016. The background group of entrepreneurs was the development of drones. Using their knowledge of how drones fly, they wanted to combine their common uses.
ALI Technologies partnered with Japanese professional soccer player Keisuke Honda, Mitsubishi Electric and Kyocera, unveiled its XTurismo flying motorcycle. It aims to make urban air travel a reality.
How does this work?
The Xturismo Limited Edition weighs 661 pounds and is powered by a hybrid-electric combustion engine. The carbon fiber body houses six electric motors commanding six propellers. The bike is 12 feet long and eight feet wide, making it a strong, large VTOL with a maximum payload of 220 pounds. During flight, you can cruise at up to 62 mph for 30 to 40 minutes. Also, landing the Xturismo is easy with its fixed helicopter-style landing skids.
ALI Technologies have equipped the Xturismo with a host of safety features, mainly in the form of redundancy. To provide fail-safe redundancy, a distributed electric propulsion system (DEP) is used. For example, if one propeller fails, the rest will be able to land the bike safely.
Intended purpose
Unlike the P2 Speeder, the Xturismo LE is primarily geared towards personal use versus being used remotely. ALI The technology holds promise for a future when government regulations allow flying motorcycles to take to the skies, adding another mode of transportation to populated urban areas. A.L.I’s Xturismo LE can be yours for pre-order for around $680,000.