The first flying motorcycle was made in Japan
- Tsuyoshi Shinjo, the new manager of a Japanese baseball team, flew into the Sapporo Dome, in Hokkaidō, aboard the futuristic XTurismo
- The vehicle, described as a cross between a motorcycle, a drone and a vertical take-off aircraft, can travel at speeds of 100 kilometers per hour for up to 40 minutes.
- It looks like a scale drone, except that it features a motorcycle-style seat designed to carry a single passenger
- Xturismo is held aloft by two propellers, which are located where the wheels would be on a conventional motorcycle
- The company said it will produce a limited series of 200 bikes, each weighing 300kg
The manager of the Japanese baseball team entered the stadium on a flying motorbike costing £ 500,000. Tsuyoshi Shinjo, the new manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, flew into the Sapporo Dome, Hokkaidō, Japan aboard the futuristic XTurismo.
The vehicle, described as a cross between a motorcycle, a drone and a vertical take-off plane, can travel at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour for up to 40 minutes. XTurismo looks like a scale drone, except that it features a motorcycle-style seat designed to carry a single passenger.
The flying enterprise
Shinjo, a flamboyant 50-year-old who calls himself Big Boss, appeared for his team’s first home game, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. With the spotlight on him, Shinjo took off from the center of the stadium and hovered high above the pitch before land about a minute later. Unfortunately, the epic stunt failed to support his team, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, who lost to the Saitama Seibu Lions, leaving them still in pursuit of their first win of the season.
It’s a good match for Xturismo, which is the creation of Tokyo drone start-up ALI Technologies and is on sale for just under £ 500,000. Powered by an internal combustion engine, the Xturismo is held aloft by two propellers, which are located where the wheels would be on a conventional motorcycle. The four auxiliary propellers placed in the corners of the vehicle provide stabilization. According to ALI Technologies, the Xturismo employs the same altitude control technology the company already uses in its unmanned drones, ensuring smooth flight.
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When on the ground, the hoverbike rests on two landing skids, similar to what you might see on a conventional helicopter. In addition to being used as a leisure activity, the motorcycle has the potential to help save people from accidents at sea. XTurismo was unveiled last fall during a test flight on an empty runway at the foot of Mount Fuji. During the demonstration flight, attended by a crowd of guests and members of the press, Xturismo climbed several meters above the ground and glided above the runway for about a minute and a half.
A disadvantage of the design could be the deafening roar of the engine and six rotor blades. The company said it will produce one limited series of 200 motorcycleseach of which weighs 300 kg. “We would like to propose a new lifestyle with this floating vehicle”ALI Technologies CEO Daisuke Katano said at the unveiling event in October at Fuji Speedway Racing Course. ALI Technologies is backed by Kyocera, a Kyoto-based manufacturer of ceramics and electronics, and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital.
