Latest news with #AirBike
New York Post
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Company proves Star Wars speeder bikes are real — and they can reach mind boggling speeds
A controversial, Star Wars-style flying speeder bike has gone on sale. A viral video of the space-age Airbike vehicle zipping across the landscape divided opinions earlier this year, with many suggesting computer trickery had been used. However, Polish company Volonaut now says it will go into production in limited numbers at the launch price of £649k ($880k). 5 Polish company Volonaut is putting into production a Star Wars-style flying speeder bike. Volonaut / SWNS They also revealed new flight footage with original audio they claim shows Airbike is real. The video shows the small, one-person vehicle—said to be able to fly at 124mph—apparently flying over a test ground, thanks to a loud method of propulsion. Polish inventor and Volonaut founder Tomasz Patan said: 'This kind of extra footage was requested and highly anticipated. 5 The one-person vehicle is said to be able to fly at 124mph. Volonaut / SWNS 5 The company's new flight footage with original audio is being used to show that the technology is real. Volonaut / SWNS 'Although the original release went viral, it also managed to divide opinions and stir the internet. Many claimed this hoverbike is not real and that the footage has been produced with use of AI or CGI. 'It is not hard to imagine why—the futuristic vehicle seems to not obey the laws of physics with no visible means of generating lift or maintaining unprecedented stability with its rider on top of it. 'Volonaut is confirming the authenticity of all officially released video materials saying that a real, fully functional and flying prototype vehicle has been piloted by the inventor with zero use of special effects, AI or computer generated imagery.' In May, Volonaut stated that the AirBike is powered by jet propulsion, with a proprietary stabilization system enhanced by a flight computer to provide automatic hover capability and ease of control for its rider. 5 'Many claimed this hoverbike is not real and that the footage has been produced with use of AI or CGI,' Volonaut founder Tomasz Patan said. 'Volonaut is confirming the authenticity of all officially released video materials.' Volonaut / SWNS Tomasz Patan adds: ''It was always my dream to create a personal flying machine so futuristic and iconic that it could be placed on a science fiction movie set. 'The challenge was to come up with real-world reliable core technology that can be shrunk down and wrapped with a functional and bold design. 5 The launch price is £649k ($880k). Volonaut / SWNS 'The result is a first of its kind vehicle with incredible performance, stunning looks that actually resembles a sports motorbike, and it is flying.' Volonaut says they will manufacture a commercial hoverbike version with a top speed of 63mph, to meet the 'ultralight' classification requirements. This would allow people to ride it in the air outside densely populated areas without needing a pilot's license. The company adds: 'Specially developed training led by professionals will ensure that owners learn to safely and responsibly operate their speeders.' Volonaut says it has begun work on a pre-production version and aims to share first flight footage in 2026. Pre-order reservations will open on 1 August.
Business Mayor
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
World's first Star Wars-style hoverbike can hit 124mph and DOESN'T need propellors to fly
Published: 16:10 BST, 9 May 2025 | Updated: 09:43 BST, 11 May 2025 It's the stuff of dreams for sci-fi fans. A company say they have developed a Star Wars-inspired speeder bike that can zoom to 124mph. Poland-based Volonaut says their Airbike is the first 'hoverbike' vehicle of its kind that does not use propellers to fly. Incredible videos show someone sitting on the device as it appears to effortlessly glide through the air. At one point it hovers remarkably steady as the rider lifts a hand to wave at the camera. The firm says: 'This groundbreaking design shares a lot of similarities to 'speeder bikes' featured in popular science-fiction movies.' Fine technical details of the AirBike have not been revealed, with the company reporting the vehicle has 'just come out of stealth mode development' by Polish inventor and Volonaut founder Tomasz Patan. However, describing it as a 'superbike for the skies', Volonaut say the AirBike is powered by jet propulsion. Poland-based Volonaut has revealed the Airbike: a small one-person vehicle said to be able to fly at 124 mph It has a 'proprietary stabilisation system' enhanced by a flight computer to provide automatic hover and ease of control for its rider. They added: 'The current version of the vehicle is a result of many months of hard work, solved challenges and multiple failures. 'It took the founder several iterations to get to a working and flightworthy design on which he attempted the first stable flight in May 2023 in Poland.' No timeline for a production model or cost have been released yet. Instagram users praised the design, with one writing: 'The future is here! Best personal flying aircraft I've seen as far as design and flight.' Another said: 'The generation that grew up on Star Wars was waiting for you, my friend. 'Please work a little faster. We're getting old but we want to go for a ride.' Jet propulsion – which this aircraft uses – is a technology that drives vehicles forward using jets of gas. Commonly used throughout the Star Wars galaxy, speeder bikes (pictured) are single-driver craft that move at very high speeds over 300 miles per hour The company say theirs is the first 'hoverbike' vehicle that does not use propellers to fly. However, they have not yet revealed how their design works The company say it's such a comfortable device, the rider will 'become one' with the flying machine. They add it is seven times lighter than a typical motorbike thanks to the use of carbon fibre materials. Commonly used throughout the Star Wars galaxy, speeder bikes are single-driver craft that move at very high speeds over 300 miles per hour. The gravity-defying bikes use a fictional technology called 'repulsorlift' that push against a planet's gravity, allowing them to travel while dozens of feet off the ground. They rely on thruster engines to provide forward thrust – but require great skill and fast reflexes, especially in a heavily-forested environment. In the classic Star Wars film 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), heroes Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are chased by stormtroopers around the fictional forest moon of Endor on speeder bikes. Hover-based transportation heavily features across the Star Wars films, including 'The Phantom Menace' (1999) and 'The Force Awakens' (2015). According to Wookiepedia, in the Star Wars world, the X-34 was an open-air/sealed cockpit civilian landspeeder manufactured by SoroSuub Corporation. One famous owner was Luke Skywalker. It featured holographic displays, a computer for ground navigation, and a number of repulsor counterbalances for smooth and steady travel over rough terrain. The 'Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder' is modeled after the X-34 aircraft from Star Wars: A New Hope. Pictured is Mark Hamil as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars movie Its maximum altitude was 1 meter (100 cm), but its usual cruising altitude was roughly 10 cm above ground level. It was powered by three turbine engines to propel the vehicle forward, and a 'repulsorfield generator' housing was located behind the cockpit. Its power circuit was located in front of the cockpit. The open-air landspeeder could be piloted through the use of a steering wheel and foot pedals, and featured a retractable duraplex windscreen.
