Not so way back in a web-based galaxy not to this point way.
A recent mode of transport being hyped because the “world’s first flying bike” has officially been released in Japan — with an almost $555,000 online price tag, in accordance with the corporate’s site.
The 12-feet-long XTURISMO “luxury air cruiser” — inspired by the “Star Wars” universe — was developed by the aircraft company AERWINS.
The 661-pound vehicle, a finalist within the 2023 Edison Awards, is designed to attract power from two large central rotors running on a 228-horsepower, gas-fueled Kawasaki motor.
Additional oomph comes from an electrical battery that powers 4 fans on the vehicle’s outer edges that provide stability to the ride.
The bike — hyped as “a manifestation of the dream of air mobility” — can reportedly hit speeds starting from 50 to 62 miles per hour.
“Brining science fiction to life: Imagine a world where humans have free reign over the skies. Surely, life could be more free,” reads the official description. “Expand your ideas about transport, experience the world like never before Pioneer the subsequent generation of transport. XTURISMO was created with this in mind. A recent journey begins.”
The bike bears a resemblance to the speeder bikes utilized by the Galactic Empire to chase Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) through the forests on the planet of Endor within the franchise’s sixth installment, 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”
In June 2022, AERWINS announced the worldwide launch of XTURISMO Limited Edition at December’s Top Marques Monaco conference, and its performance at America’s Detroit Auto Show in September was also well received worldwide, in accordance with brand reps who said they’re “currently receiving orders and inquiries from everywhere in the world.”
Alas, “Star Wars” fans and others who’re itching to participate in their very own chase might be heartbroken to listen to that flying bikes are currently only available in Japan — and is proscribed to check rides over a closed race track.
Nevertheless, the air cruiser — hailed as one in all the “19 most mind-blowing science stories of 2022” by BBC Science — could eventually be used to help in rescue operations, disaster relief and inspections of infrastructure, in accordance with its creators.
A video touting XTURISMO Limited Edition features the vehicle hovering above the waters of Lake Yamanaka with Japan’s iconic Japanese Mt. Fuji within the background.
“In publishing this video, it’s our hope that viewers might be moved by the natural fantastic thing about Yamanashi,” the brand’s reps said in an announcement, “and feel the anticipation and excitement of the longer term mobility which might be achieved through our technological capabilities.”
