Company shows working hoverbike

There are an astonishing number of companies trying to develop the personal hovercraft. Most work on skateboard skateboarding, a concept popularized in the 1989 film "Back to the Future, Part II".

Some, however, have more ambitious plans. Take for example Russia Hoversurf who works on a hoverbike. The company demonstrated this month successfully a prototype in a test facility in Moscow.

Called the Scorpion-3, the design features four precarious placed propellers which, hopefully, will eventually include on future versions. Located under each of the propellers is an electric motor powered by a battery located in the central structure integrating the controls and the seat. Think of it as a mixture of a drone quadcopter and a motorcycle.


According to Hoversurf, the Scorpion-3 can be controlled manually or autonomously, using software developed in-house. Unfortunately, there are no specifications such as range and load times, although Hoversurf has stated that it is studying the potential use of an internal combustion engine as a range extender.

Hoversurf says the Scorpion-3, if ever it reaches the market, will be destined for adventure and extreme sports enthusiasts. There is also the potential for military applications and maybe one day a flying taxi service.

But Hoversurf says the real opportunity is the market for drones carrying goods. The company already provides commercial drones used to monitor and transport cargo on rough terrain, such as reconnaissance of the Arctic and terrain, geological exploration, delivery of equipment to remote or hazardous locations, and Rescue and evacuation services. Some of his drawings are able to carry up to 5,500 pounds.