Now You Can Try A Speeder Out In Real Life
Image Source: StarWars.com
Decades ago, science fiction authors envisioned that cities with flying cars would be a reality by the turn of the millennium. When Doc Brown traveled with Marty McFly to the year 2015, he explained that they would not need roads where they were going (because every car was able to fly then). And nearly every kid in the late 70s dreamt of having an X-34 landspeeder just like Luke Skywalker, or some years later, a speeder bike, like the Imperial scout troopers.
Now it seems that these dreams may finally come true, at least a little bit. On September 15, AERWINS Technologies, a startup from Japan, premiered the Xturismo hoverbike at the Detroit Auto Show.
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Source: The Kansas City Star
The hoverbike, which actually looks more like a life-size drone than the landspeeder from Star Wars, weighs about 660 pounds (300 kg), has a top speed of 62 mph (nearly 100 km/h), a maximum range of 25 miles (40 km) and can carry a load of up to 220 pounds (100 kg).
AERWINS published a short video showing the Xturisomo in action:
Thad Szott, co-chair of the auto show and test driver for the hoverbike, was quite impressed after his short flight: "I feel like I'm literally 15 years old and I just got out of 'Star Wars' and jumped on their bike. I mean, it's awesome! Of course, you have a little apprehension, but I was just so amped. I literally had goosebumps and feel like a little kid."
The hoverbike is already on sale in Japan, and Shuhei Komatsu, the founder and CEO of AERWINS, said that are plans underway to sell a smaller version in the United States in 2023.
Those interested in acquiring the Xturisomo might want to check their bank account first, as the hoverbike currently costs a hefty $770,000; AERWINS hopes to be able to release a smaller and electric version available for about $50,000 by 2025.
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Sources: The Kansas City Star, Reuters