International

“Rictor Flying Motorbike Launches in 2026”

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held at Las Vegas, Nevada is a haven for futurists and techies and this year’s event (January 7th-11th) attracted a lot of specialist and mainstream media coverage including for several advanced air mobility exhibits.

Xpeng Aeroht enjoyed wide media traction with its Land Aircraft Carrier (a six-wheeled van coupled with a two-manned drone).  LEO Flight, a 10’ x 20’ ultra-light, two-seat coupe aircraft, also gleamed with its elegant sporty personal vehicle, featuring an AI-powered interface, with touchscreen and joystick controls and 3D printed structures.

https://twitter.com/ijustine/status/1876753866038866230

Yet, the display that created, perhaps, the most fascination was Rictor’s electric Skyrider X1. While still a concept and brought to ‘flight life’ by artists’ drawings, its creators hope it could become the world’s first flying motorbike.

Under the marketing strap, ‘A near future where personal flight is no longer an unreachable dream but an accessible reality’, a press release explains that it is a multi-functional personal vehicle featuring:- 

: A 4-axis, 8-propeller system for enhanced stability.

: A carbon fibre composite and aviation-grade aluminium materials for durability and performance. 

: A maximum flight speed of 100 km/h and a 50 kW onboard DC charging station, with a 40 minute battery charge.

: At a cost of USD60,000.

A further feature which tickles futurist delights… it’s an amphibious vehicle too, able to fly over water, therefore, adding to its land and air functionality, “Offering users the ultimate freedom in driving experiences,” claims Rictor, an international brand incubated by KUICKWHEEL, a China-based e-scooter and e-bike company from Jiangsu province.

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Other features include:-

: Automatic route planning to identify optimal flight paths based on set destinations.

: Real-time weather and environmental adaptability, automatically adjusting altitude, speed, and direction for efficient and safe travel.

: Automated take-off and landing functions, simplifying the flight process by allowing pilots to set destinations while the vehicle handles the rest.

: Manual control options for pilots who prefer hands-on operation, including joystick functionality, catering to diverse user preferences.

Safety is obviously paramount and the Skyrider X1 has:-

: Triple-redundant flight control systems, ensuring safe operation even if an engine fails.

: BMS battery safety protection and an integrated emergency parachute for comprehensive safety assurance.

The flying motorbike has been a dream for decades and several companies have attempted this feat, but ended up in either administration or with initial concept drawings simply fluttering in the wind, for the reality is quite different.

In the US, for example, flying cars are only legal in Minnesota and New Hampshire, while California has no specific laws for them at all. The proximity of Skyrider’s propellers to the vehicle’s doors could also prove a safety hazard.

Last year, a Californian firm, Jetpack Aviation, who caused a sensation on social media with ‘James Bondesque’ videos, paused plans to focus on military drones instead. While, UDX remains early testing a prototype of its Airwolf Hoverbike that is years away from commercialisation.

Reality is always a curse for dream weaving. 

(Credit: Rictor)

Rictor already has an electric motorbike on the market called the K1, stating it has “emerged as a formidable player with robust innovation capabilities and a visionary approach to comprehensive air, land, and sea mobility solutions.”

Keep on dreamin’.

For more information

https://kuickwheel.com/

(Top image: Rictor)

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