
A.L.I. Technologies established in Tokyo has developed a motorbike-like floating vehicle named as Speeder. A.L.I. Technologies will exhibit a prototype of Speeder in its booth at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019. The Speeder is designed as a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle that travels few centimeters above the ground. It is equipped with two powerful engines in the front and rear. Each of the engines are connected to propellers, which rotates very fast to generate a force downward so as the Speeder can move forward. To move forward and make a turn, two small propellers on the right and left sides are used. The vehicle is approximately 2 m in length and 1.5 m in width.
For weight reduction, CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) is used for the body. A.L.I. Technologies manufactures the airframe in house. The company will deliver a limited edition of Speeder in the second half of 2020 and mass-produced model in the second half of 2021 at the earliest. A.L.I. Technologies has not yet disclosed the output of the engine or the control method used for the vehicle. The vehicle floats up and travels when an accelerator and brake located on the handle are operated like a motorbike. The riding capacity depends on body weight of passengers. The Speeder is expected to be used for lifesaving at the time of disaster, in deserts and swamps and on the sea. A.L.I. Technologies plans to take advantage of the floating function of the vehicle in situations where wheeled vehicles cannot travel.