It costs about as much as two better new cars. However, it is the first of its kind on the market and, compared to the previously announced prices of flying cars, it is still cheap. In the US, for example, he doesn't even need an airline card - so the interest is great.

Although, unlike Star Wars speedboats, it is powered by conventional propellers instead of so-called repulsors, the sci-fi hovercraft does not deny the inspiration from the Star Saga.

The Jetson ONE personal drone can climb to a height of almost 460 meters and fly at speeds of up to 102 kilometers per hour. Due to this, and due to its weight of 86 kilograms, even according to the rules of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot of such a device does not have to be licensed, and therefore most shoppers come from the USA.

Nearly 2.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide and one meter high, the aircraft has a light aviation aluminum body and "uses composite carbon fibers and state-of-the-art 3D printed components,"

The Swedish eVTOL, ie a plane with a vertical take-off and landing, can be piloted by one person with a maximum weight of 95 kilograms. However, it is not a means of transport used for ordinary transport, but rather a leisure activity for film or drone enthusiasts or athletes.

Due to the propulsion of its eight electric motors on a lithium-ion battery, the machine can only fly for 20 minutes at a time, so its estimated range is between 20 and 30 kilometers. An ordinary 230V socket, however, fully charges the machine in about an hour. The pilot controls the machine using a three-axis joystick and speed controller.

"We're sure we can put anyone in it and teach them to fly the machine in five minutes,"

Although the Jetson ONE may seem like a toy, it must also pay attention to safety due to its speed and altitude. The pilot sitting on the carbon and Kevlar seat must be in a special harness, and the panels around his head, fuselage and legs are reinforced in the event of an impact. There is also a ballistic rescue parachute.

But these are all measures for the worst eventualities. Thanks to LIDAR, the Jetson ONE control computer still maintains safe flight parameters and manages to keep the machine in a stable position, even if the pilot does not hold the joystick. And the design of the eVTOl also uses the so-called coaxial engine configuration, which ensures a safe landing even in the event of a failure of one of them.

In two months, interest in machines worth six billion

The price tag of the hovercraft starts at 92 thousand dollars, ie about two million crowns. In addition to the Jetson One itself, however, the new owner will also receive a two-day training course in Italy.

And even though a smaller range and a higher price might seem like an obstacle for those interested, the opposite is true. Maybe thanks to smaller administrative hooks, the company does not manage.

свернуть