A British inventor has built a metal hover bike with propellers that help it float a few inches off the ground. Colin Furze posted a YouTube video showing his new invention as he tries to control the futuristic bicycle.
Furze explained that he spent a lot of time to build his invention. It is also his first attempt to design something that leaves the ground, according to UPI.
Furze's backyard invention includes a basic metal frame that covers two motors and propellers, according to Digital Trends. The hover bike is controlled by tilting weight forward, backward or to the side like an aerial Segway.
However, the hoverbike is missing some major components that are included on a traditional bike including a steering mechanism, brakes, and seat. Those items would have made the floating bike too heavy to get off the ground.
In the YouTube video Furze struggles to figure out to control the airborne vehicle and the propeller breaks at least once. In fact, he crashes a lot but after a while masters the new invention.
This was the last video in a 4-part series that showed the design and construction process for the hover bike. Furze's pet project was part of Ford's #unlearn campaign in the United Kingdom. It asks people to forget their biased opinions about the American automaker and what people are able to achieve.
The British inventor has built other devices including an Ejector Bed. It wakes up people who sleep through their alarm clock by shooting them into the air. His invention was inspired by the clay animation characters Wallace and Gromit.
In related news, California-based Aerofex plans to roll out its Aero-X hoverbike to the retail market in 2017.
Meanwhile, Malloy Aeronautics is designing a hover bike for the United States Department of Defense that would bring to life the futuristic vehicles used by Storm Troopers in the Star Wars movie "Return of the Jedi." Its hover bike was on display at the Paris Air Show.
The US Army Research Lab announced it has teamed up with the UK company to develop the future of military aviation. Australian inventor Chris Malloy built the floating bike that includes an 1170 cc, 4-stroke engine.