Forget jetpacks -- get a Hoverbike.
By
Bill Z Bubba,
Posted on: 2011-06-14 20:40 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
We have 4 more years to develop a hoverboard. This is a good step in that direction.
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Want!!!
It was tacked at the end of my jetpack thread. Stability is going to be a big problem with the center of gravity so high. At least you hang under the fans.
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Before checking the link I assumed it was a serious attempt.
That is not even vaguely so yet. I mean hell, it doesn't even have any form of stability device (no gyroscopes yet). As soon as he would cut the tethers it would flip and fall on the driver. If the driver were lucky he'd just get crushed rather than the Cuisinart fans mangling him.
This is not even close to a real effort. You might as wells strap wings to your motorcycle. At least that would be safer.
The U.S. Military worked for a long time on devices along these lines back in the 60s and eventually gave up. They had a lot more money and engineering talent to throw at the problem.
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Originally Posted by docbuzzard
Before checking the link I assumed it was a serious attempt.
That is not even vaguely so yet. I mean hell, it doesn't even have any form of stability device (no gyroscopes yet). As soon as he would cut the tethers it would flip and fall on the driver. If the driver were lucky he'd just get crushed rather than the Cuisinart fans mangling him. This is not even close to a real effort. You might as wells strap wings to your motorcycle. At least that would be safer. The U.S. Military worked for a long time on devices along these lines back in the 60s and eventually gave up. They had a lot more money and engineering talent to throw at the problem. |
It was also the 60's...we have access to much better materials
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Right with you until you cited 1960's research efforts.... I'd like to think we've come a long way since then...
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Originally Posted by docbuzzard
The U.S. Military worked for a long time on devices along these lines back in the 60s and eventually gave up. They had a lot more money and engineering talent to throw at the problem.
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I hope someone arrests him if it ever looks like he will try flying that rubbish design. I'm not concerned about his safety but the people on the ground.
It's Australia...the people on the ground have a lot more to worry about than a hoverbike 
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Thanks for reminding me 
That looks fun.
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Materials don't mean squat here (I'm a materials guy by training, so I'm not selling them short). This is a matter of controls. He doesn't have any controls on it whatsoever. It's just an engine and some fans. That means just basic torque issues are likely to make the damn thing flip over. |
Originally Posted by Furio
It was also the 60's...we have access to much better materials
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Just read the article. As I mentioned he doesn't have basic gyro-stabilization yet. That's well short of the kind of actual computer control system you would need to really pilot such a beast. This is nothing of consequence yet, and without real money and someone with a clue, it never will be.
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I am reasonably sure that if the military felt like re-opening those closed projects they could make it succeed owing to advances in computers and control techniques. The originals failed primarily owing to those issues. |
Originally Posted by Chyll
Right with you until you cited 1960's reserach efforts.... I'd like to think we've come a long way since then...
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However the guy cited in the article isn't even looking at those issues. He's strapped a couple of fans to an engine and somehow magically assumes it will be controllable. It won't. If he removes those straps that tie it to the ground it will not be in any way stable and it is very likely to hurt someone, especially if someone is dumb enough to try and ride it.
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That would cool if it were ever to work, especially based on this image:
That's wicked hot.
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http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/06...his-hoverbike/
Top speed of 173 mph, top altitude of 10,000 feet, this hoverbike consists of not much more than a pair of giant fans with hellishly sharp, decapitating blades. This is a man's way of committing suicide^H^H travelling in style.
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