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Dubai Police Testing Hoverbike
California-based startup Hoversurf Inc. sold its first vertical-takeoff and landing vehicle to the Dubai police department and has begun training officers on how to use the so-called hoverbike.
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California-based startup Hoversurf Inc. sold its first vertical-takeoff and landing vehicle to the Dubai police department and has begun training officers on how to use the so-called hoverbike.
Dubai aims to begin using the S3 2019 Hoverbike by 2020 as a first responder unit to access hard to reach areas. The $150,000 device can accommodate one rider or be flown remotely in drone mode.
Powered by four rotors and an electric drivetrain, the S3 can fly for as long as 25 minutes at a height of 16 ft with a rider. Flight time grows to 40 minutes in driverless mode. Top speed is listed at 60 mph.
The company says it takes about 2.5 hours to recharge the 12.3-kWh lithium-manganese-nickel battery. Carbon-fiber construction holds the overall vehicle weight to about 250 lbs.
Hoversurf, which has shown several prototypes in the last two years, says it’s in talks with three companies around the world (including a site in Dubai) about manufacturing the S3 Hoverbike. Earlier this month, founder Alex Atamanov appointed former U.S. Air Force pilot Steve Weinstein as the company’s CEO.
A video demonstration of the vehicle can be seen HERE.
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