Japanese Developer Plans Flying Motorcycle

A Japanese startup hopes to begin selling a motorcycle-like “hover bike” in its home market by 2022.

Tokyo-based ALI Technologies Inc. was launched in 2016, initially to develop drone technology.
 

ALI’s Speeder (left) is designed initially to hover less than one foot above the ground. Large fore and aft fans provide lift, and smaller fans around the edges provide thrust and steering. Vehicle control is aided by an artificial intelligence-driven “posture control system,” according to the company.

ALI intends to test its air cycle at much greater operating altitudes in the future. But it concedes that civil aeronautics laws would need to be changed to allow it. Until then, it says the Speeder has been designed to meet regulations for operation on public roads.