Japanese Start-Up Launches Hoverbike for £495,000

It is the dream of many to be able to fly. Sadly though, the closest most of us ever get to do this is from within a commercial airliner. And, I should hope, as a passenger rather than an enthusiastic but unqualified pilot. – Following the official launch of the XTurismo, Japanese startup company ALI Technologies is giving you the opportunity to own your very own hoverbike. The only catch is that they’re asking £495,000 for it!

Hoverbike – Fact or Fantasy?

Now, just in case it needed to be said, the XTurismo is not available to buy and receive right now. In fact, it appears that ALI Technologies is simply pitching for investment capital to begin an initial production run of around 200 units of their Hoverbike. – With Mitsubishi reportedly already having placed a rather substantial stake in the company, however, while it is merely a concept at the time of writing, by this time next year, people placing their pre-orders may very well be receiving and blasting off (metaphorically rather than literally speaking I hope) in their XTurismo.

Therein, however, lies one of the biggest problems with this product. I can’t speak for every country in the world, but I’m pretty sure that most governments are against unlicensed people flying aircraft. Hell, the UK is getting fair terse about drones, let alone people flying around on hoverbikes! – As such, while you can order your XTurismo, unless you had a private pilots license (or possibly an NPPL – A license suitable for aircraft such as microlights), I don’t think you’d be legally able to do more with it than hover around 6′ up in your back garden. And I’m not too sure about that either!

What Do We Think?

It’s understood that the XTurismo will feature something of a hybrid engine, with it predominantly operating for around 40 minutes off a single battery charge. The presumably gasoline-powered ‘back-up’ is likely expected to be strongly advised to be treated as such. A back-up, and no more! – With this in mind, therefore, at least in terms of its specifications, the concept does seem pretty sound. As above, the only flaw in the product might just be in its legal application. – Admittedly, though, if I had a spare £495,000 in my bank account (which I don’t) I might be tempted to throw some money at this and see what I get. If for no other reason than just seeing what attention I’d get popping to the shops for a pint of milk and a loaf of bread.

And yes, I do suspect that this will get a delivered release to consumers. I just have absolutely no idea what the company plans to do in both the training and authorising of its hoverbikes ‘drivers/pilots’. Presumably, though, they’re going to leave that particular problem to its owner!

If you do, incidentally, want to learn more, you can check out the XTurismo’s official website via the link here!

What do you think? – Let us know in the comments!