Hoverbike Soars Above Detroit – And Into the Future
At the high‑tech heart of Detroit’s auto show on Sept 15, a Japanese startup’s hoverbike, the @Aerwins Technologies Xturismo, took to the skies. It’s a real thing—no sci‑fi props—and it’s stuck in the era of 60‑mph jet‑powered fun.
First‑Flight Feeling (and Tiny Goosebumps)
Thad Szott, the co‑chair of the show, took a shaky sip of coffee before hopping onto the “flying machine.” “I felt like a 15‑year‑old who just popped off a Star Wars set and jumped into a speeder,” he laughed. “The ride was electric—literally—I had goosebumps and felt like a kid again.”
Getting the Numbers in the Air
- Flight time: Up to 40 minutes of airborne adventure
- Speed: Reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) if you dare to push the limits
- Price tag (current US launch): A hefty $777,000—a price that’s almost as cool as the ride itself
But the bright lights of the showroom are just the beginning. Shuhei Komatsu, founder and CEO, is already lining up a smaller, electric cousin for the US market in 2023.
He’s aiming to drop the price to a more reasonable $50,000 by 2025.
What the Rest of the World Says
Not just the amazement in Detroit—Aerwins has already sold units in Japan, and they’re planning a Nasdaq listing via a merger with a special acquisition company that values the company at a sweet $600 million (S$845 million).
In short, if you’re wantin’ to see the future of personal transport, the Xturismo is ready for flight. Just close your eyes, brace for the soaring speed, and enjoy the feeling of flying like a kid who just got out of Star Wars.
