Flying a $495K HEXA Personal Drone
LIFT Aircraft’s HEXA human drone is a $495,000 amphibious drone designed to carry a single person into the skies. And, from the looks of its spider-like legs, it harvests other humans for more power to keep itself flying. Trust me; I know how these things work.
The aircraft features 18 independently controlled motors and propellers for precision flying, has a cruise speed of around 45MPH, and a max speed of 63MPH. Its multiple battery packs allow for about 15 minutes of flight time, or just long enough to get me halfway to where I need to go. The semi-autonomous piloting controls its own stability via flight-control computers, so you point it in the direction you want to go, and the system makes the flight as smooth as possible. Nik from Supercar Blondie scored a flight in the HEXA drone and got airborne with about 40 minutes of training.
Well, it’s not exactly George Jetson’s flying car, but I suppose we have to start somewhere. I just wish we were starting somewhere closer to the version in the cartoon. Plus, George’s flying car folded up into his suitcase. Granted, The Jetsons doesn’t take place until 2062, but we’ve definitely got our work cut out for us in the meantime.
[via TechEBlog and EVTOL News]