A flying motorbike that’s has been under development since 2017 recently took a public test to prove its worth. Designed and built by Japanese firm A.L.I. Technologies, the futuristic Xturismo hoverbike flew over a racetrack near Tokyo.

The futuristic-looking hoverbike is claimed to reach speeds of up to 100 kph and fly for up to 40 minutes in one go. The recent demo flight was a cautious one, with the pilot flying slowly along the track and performing a couple of 180-degree turns close to the ground.

Taking to the skies next year

The 300 kg single-seat aircraft is backed by six sets of propellers and an internal combustion engine. It looked stable during its test flight, but more maneuvers and a bit more speed would have made things more clear. “We would like to propose a new lifestyle with this floating vehicle,” said A.L.I. Technologies CEO Daisuke Katano.

The hoverbike is set to go on sale in 2022 and will be priced at $680,000, with the company planning a limited run of 200 units. But before it embraces the skies in a public space, local regulators will have to give their nod to the contraption, which could take a lot of time.

Flying taxis to become a norm

Besides, Airbus is the latest to join the eVTOL race. The company has introduced its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. The potential flying taxi packs a sleek design and is named the CityAirbus NextGen. It features the best bits from previous designs that include the CityAirbus and Vahana demonstrators.

Airbus unveiled its eVTOL aircraft in a video shared online recently. The aircraft is designed for trips in urban areas and features fixed wings, a V-shaped tail, and eight electrically powered propellers. It can carry up to four passengers in a zero-emissions flight for around 80 kilometers at speeds of up to 120 kph.