Cruise ability took on new meaning.
Czech company UDX has developed an electric vertical take-off and landing (evTOL) prototype that is fast, efficient and agile enough to fly at incredible altitudes. Known as Airwolf, the hoverbike prototype has been developed using impressive individually tilted duct fan propulsion technology, allowing it to hover and cruise at speeds of up to 142 mph.
As detailed by New Atlas, the prototype is unique in its development, producing 430 horsepower and “hummingbird-like” agility. It’s built as an all-electric aircraft with four independently operating fan units, reducing strain on the batteries that power the aircraft and enable longer flight ranges.
Since the prototype was unveiled, the company has noted room for improvement. The Airwolf is built for speed and agility, but flight time is limited to 25 minutes. To fly the prototype in the U.S., operators must complete 20 hours of flight training to earn a sport pilot license. Captain Electro says customers will have to loosen their purse strings to cover the $320,000 purchase price.
According to a ScienceDirect publication, the benefits of the technology behind evTOL include reducing traffic congestion caused by traditional vehicles, zero direct pollution as it uses an electric propulsion system, and reduced noise levels in urban areas compared to standard vehicles, resulting in safer travel and cleaner air for local communities.
Traffic pollution is a significant issue that affects both our health and the environment. For example, residents of the US-Mexico border in El Paso suffer from serious health problems due to air pollution from idling vehicles, especially transport trucks. This pollution is known to increase the incidence of asthma, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, and is also associated with an increased risk of mental health problems.
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The popularity of electric vehicles is seen as a solution to curbing global warming pollution from transportation. For example, a study from the University of Southern California found that for every 20 additional zero-emission vehicles per 1,000 people, there is a significant decrease in asthma-related emergency room visits. This means that air quality will improve significantly as more people switch to EVs.
The impression made by UDX’s Airwolf has inspired other companies’ efforts, including Lazareth’s Moto Volante, a semi-functional road- and air-running jet cycle, and the Air One, built by Israel-based Air.
With the federal government’s Inflation Control Act aiming to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport and prevent up to 100,000 asthma attacks and around 3,900 unnecessary premature deaths each year by 2030, the time has come for the development of responsible travel to take a leap forward.
“This is exactly what evTOL should be,” said one of the people commenting on the Airwolf prototype launch.
The possibilities are truly endless.
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