Flying motorcycle still up in the air

In the same vein as pigs will fly, we’ll bet you never thought a motorcycle could. Well now one has, the Skyrider X1 unveiled at CES in Las Vegas.

It rides on road like a regular bike but it can also fly autonomously for about 40min according to those from Rictor, its maker.

The firm a sub-brand of Chinese company Kuickwheel. Up until now, Rictor had just one other product in its line-up, the K1 e-bike. Going from that to a flying motorcycle is quite the advance.

On the ground, the Skyrider X1 is a street-legal electric moped, stabilized by what appear to be automated outrigger wheels.

When the traffic gets too congested, you simply fold out the four arms, power up the eight coaxial propellers, set your destination, and enjoy autonomous flight. Carbon fibre composite and aluminum materials help make the bike light enough for aviation.

Rictor quotes a maximum flight speed of 100km/h. The base X1 SL comes with a 10.5kWh battery, enabling 25 minutes of flight time.

The X1 SX comes has a 21kWh battery, and Rictor claims a maximum fight duration of 40 minutes. There are evidently “triple-redundant flight control systems, ensuring safe operation even if an engine fails.” Also present is an integrated emergency parachute. Whew.

Automatic route planning is included while “real-time weather and environmental adaptability” adjusts the altitude, speed, and flight direction for more efficient travel.

There’s automated take-off and landing functionality, which means you simply set your destination and the bike does the rest. A manual joystick is provided should you want to take over the controls.

Skyrider might hit the markets next year, with an estimated price tag of $US60,000.

Flight tests and certification are not yet available. Getting a product like this to market is not easy, so watch this space in the meantime.