'I hope that in the future, people will use it for every day,' he told the Detroit News. Meanwhile, Komatsu said he believes consumers will buy his company's hoverbikes for recreation and that governments could purchase them for law enforcement or inspecting infrastructure. However, the electric aircraft have yet to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly passengers. United Airlines expects to receive the first taxis from Eve as soon as 2026. The airline believes that in the coming years, many residents of traffic-clogged cities will fork over $100 to $150 for a one-way ride to the airport inside a four-seat air taxi that’s powered by electricity. The hoverbike's debut comes at a time when major companies are placing bets that the public will eventually embrace robotic air taxis.Įarlier this month, United Airlines announced it was putting $15 million into an order for 200 electric air taxis from Eve Air Mobility - with an option to snap up 200 more. The Xturismo, which has been in development for the last two years, weighs 660 pounds and is about 12 feet long. When resting on the ground, the hoverbike rests on two landing skids - similar to those that might be seen on a conventional helicopter. Four smaller electric support rotors are located on its outer edges as well. In January, the company said it was only planning to produce 200 units.Ĭurrently, the hoverbike two large central rotors that move thanks to a 228-hp gas-powered Kawasaki motorcycle engine. However, due to strict regulations for such machines in Japan, the XTurismo is still only allowed to fly, or hover, on race tracks. The hoverbike has been on sale in Japan - which does not classify it as an aircraft and therefore doesn't require a license to pilot it - since last fall. Technologies is making 200, which reportedly have a price of 770,000 and will be limited to use on racetracks. 'I wanted to make something from the movie real,' Komatsu told the Detroit News.
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