originally this year we introduced you toAero - X , a ground-effect machine that is slate for commercial availability in 2017 . It appear that a competitor is coming up through the ranks , as Malloy Aeronautics is also germinate aHoverbike quadcopterthat will support an grownup cowcatcher . Though there is n’t presently a fancy firing particular date or price point , though they “ gauge it will sell for about the same price as a mid to high end car or SUV . ” Malloy Aeronautics is currently running a Kickstarter movement for a 1/3 shell model of the eventual full - sized hoverbike , dubbed the Drone 3 .
The drone is about 4 foot long , though it can fold up to well fold up to fit inside of a backpack . The design was intentionally done with a minimalist feel , It is fly by Buster , a 3D printed cyborg - like someone that has a Go Pro instead of a case . This allows the person assure the drone to see what it will be like to fly the Hoverbike with the full - sized version comes out afterward .
TheKickstarter campaignhas already surpass its £ 30,000 goal , and has just over £ 53,000 at the time of writing . contribution as niggling as £ 750 will receive the Drone 3 along with the plans to 3D impress your own cyborg Buster original . There is still clock time to get in on the Kickstarter and get your own bourdon quadcopter . The campaign stop at 6:55 EDT on August 31 ( which happens to be my natal day . Just throwing it out there , in case you were strapped for thought ) .
When the full sized simulation is released , it will be able-bodied to be pilot either manned or unmanned with a maximal payload of 270 kg ( 595 lbs ) . It will have a flight time of 1 or 2 hours , look on whether or not the secondary fuel cooler is used . It can help military and search & deliverance crewsnavigate over rough terrain , though it could also be used by scientists for airy survey and to monitor wildlife . Basically , if there is a place where a regular helicopter would be useful but is n’t precisely practical , this Hoverbike could be the solution .
Check out how the Drone 3 looks in action :
[ Hat tip : Popular Science ]
