Australian Unveils Prototype Hoverbike

[Moonlight Butterfly]

There's no video of it actually working? No offence but surely that is the first thing you would do if it actually worked.

It looks great and is a funny idea but I am cynical...majorly cynical..Britishly so.

 

[Sean951]

Real invention, fake specs. We have had hover-*insert vehicle hear* for some time now, but only 2 fans pushing you to 10,000 feet and 170 mph? Doubt it, I've seen fan boats and they have larger fans and aren't nearly powerful enough to achieve lift.

 

[snakeakaossi]

The photo's mostly show the bike in idle state. There are two photo's with the bike in action. This led me to the following conclusion: the thing has enough power to lift itself and the pilot, but it is probably as stable as a single exhaust jetfighter. It flips over and crashes without the intervention of a computer. That thing must be highly unstable and terrifying to pilot.

 

[Veloxe]

Ya, it could exist in a working form. But 10,000 feet? 140 mph? I'm calling bullshit on that until otherwise proven that this machine works to those claims.

Basicaly that is inside the limitations of a helicopter which is nothing but a giant fan with an engine hanging underneath it. As for stability, nothing a few gyros wouldn't be able to sence and account for to maintain stable flight.

I see no reason why it is not possible. Will believe that he has done it when I see it.

Ya it's totally possible, but I am highly skeptical that his current version of the machine can do that. Maybe like in 5 to 10 years if it gets picked up by someone willing to put more R+D money into it we'll see machines that can easily pull off that claim. But that machine right now? I have my doubts.

 

[Sean951]

Ya, it could exist in a working form. But 10,000 feet? 140 mph? I'm calling bullshit on that until otherwise proven that this machine works to those claims.

Basicaly that is inside the limitations of a helicopter which is nothing but a giant fan with an engine hanging underneath it. As for stability, nothing a few gyros wouldn't be able to sence and account for to maintain stable flight.

I see no reason why it is not possible. Will believe that he has done it when I see it.

Ya it's totally possible, but I am highly skeptical that his current version of the machine can do that. Maybe like in 5 to 10 years if it gets picked up by someone willing to put more R+D money into it we'll see machines that can easily pull off that claim. But that machine right now? I have my doubts.

I think we would need much more powerful motors that run far more efficiently in order to make a hover bike that this guy is trying. You are trying to lift 200-300 lbs. off the ground (assuming 160-200 for the rider) and you would have to keep enough fuel to go anywhere farther that just down the street.

 

[AhumbleKnight]

Ya, it could exist in a working form. But 10,000 feet? 140 mph? I'm calling bullshit on that until otherwise proven that this machine works to those claims.

Basicaly that is inside the limitations of a helicopter which is nothing but a giant fan with an engine hanging underneath it. As for stability, nothing a few gyros wouldn't be able to sence and account for to maintain stable flight.

I see no reason why it is not possible. Will believe that he has done it when I see it.

Ya it's totally possible, but I am highly skeptical that his current version of the machine can do that. Maybe like in 5 to 10 years if it gets picked up by someone willing to put more R+D money into it we'll see machines that can easily pull off that claim. But that machine right now? I have my doubts.

After having a look at all the photo's and reading the faq I would agree with you. I don't see any stability management going on there at all. All he would need to do is have an adjustable pitch and plain of the rotor system but there is none on his prototype. The gyros and acceleromiters that would also be required are so small that there is no way you could tell if they are there or not but without that stability, I see that thing flipping over on its first test flight.

 

[FalloutJack]

Oh wow, this is awesome.

I think a million Star Wars fans just punched the air in rejoice.

That aside, this is great. FINALLY, we're on the right rode to our flying cars and hoverboards.

EDIT: Wait, sorry. I need to do this right.

[HEADING=1]GREAT SCOTT![/HEADING]

 

[Sean951]

We've had them for a while now [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovercraft]

 

[DudeistBelieve]

I'm with everyone else... I'm skeptical, but I DO WANT HOVERING THINGS!!!!

For christsake I wish someone would make a working Back To The Future hoverboard ><

 

[Nihilism_Is_Bliss]

Next to incredibly attractive blonde women and Paul Hogan [http://www.amazon.com/Crocodile-Dundee-Los-Angeles/dp/B000QUEQ6S], this may be the greatest thing Australia has ever given the world.

It sure beats Vegemite.

Yep accurate points, except vegemite is awesome. Americans over react to it so much, and if you eat it out of the jar in front of them it is hilarious. In all seriousness vegemite is awesome.

As for hover bike, sounds dumb

Sorry, I'm Australian and I have to admit Vegemite is disgusting.

And OT, the thing probably flies to an extent, but it's the necessary controllability ie. steering, turning, landing etc. that make me raise an eyebrow.
Still, I'd love to see a video that proves me wrong.

 

[thirion1850]

The australium.. it's WORKING! O.O

 

[EHKOS]

Now just look out for low hanging dropbears!
OT:We need to forget about air and start working on electromagnetic pads.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

If true I will buy nothing until I own one of this fancy hover bikes

 

[CommanderKirov]

How many people do I need to kill to get it, and when can I start?

 

[darkbshadow]

Next to incredibly attractive blonde women and Paul Hogan [http://www.amazon.com/Crocodile-Dundee-Los-Angeles/dp/B000QUEQ6S], this may be the greatest thing Australia has ever given the world.

It sure beats Vegemite.

Yep accurate points, except vegemite is awesome. Americans over react to it so much, and if you eat it out of the jar in front of them it is hilarious. In all seriousness vegemite is awesome.

As for hover bike, sounds dumb

I'm sorry but for some reason the yeast sediment that is left over from brewing beer doesn't sound appetizing. I guess to each their own.

Also even if this was real the sounds it makes is that of a lawnmower. It gets a coolness factor for it's look and function. But loses it right away by the sound it makes.

 

[Croaker42]

Now just look out for low hanging dropbears!
OT:We need to forget about air and start working on electromagnetic pads.

That would probably be the one thing I want more then a hoverbike.

 

[Ghengis John]

Now, assuming we can forget about the possibility that this thing is fake, and that the first thing almost everyone would do on it is die horribly, I think we can all see how impressive this invention is. Next to incredibly attractive blonde women and Paul Hogan [http://www.amazon.com/Crocodile-Dundee-Los-Angeles/dp/B000QUEQ6S], this may be the greatest thing Australia has ever given the world.

Hey now, Australia has made plenty of other fine contributions to the world. Let's not forget that many of their brunettes are not bad either.

As for this article, and the recent trend of such articles all I can say is this: The future is coming. And that future will hover.

 

[Danpascooch]

I can't really believe this is real because, besides the obvious reasons, it seems he hasn't applied for a patent but is already showing off all the specs, why would he risk someone stealing his idea? I think he's just trolling for donations.

 

[Jegsimmons]

didnt mythbusters make garage style hovercraft once and they sort of worked?

i think its possible for a hover bike, simple design are usually the best in hindsight.

 

[Scarim Coral]

It look like we are one step closer into making the Star Wars speeder bike a reality.