Jetson Quadcopter Racing

[Mainia]

I have seen these before, earlier in their development, but never the races. A flying brick, with massive momentum. Who here would fly one? You would think a Hans Device would be smart here. A new Reno Air Racing class.




.

 

[grasscutter]

That concept is not good for the tire manufacturers.

 

[Hirev]

"What could possibly go wrong here?"

I can't think of a single thing

 

[Speedy3861]

Looking like helicopters, every hour in the air, 2-3 hours of maintenance on the ground.

 

[hemitom]

OHHHH just about anything !

 

[blain450]

The open cockpit is a no-go. But when they build an air conditioned version, count me in.
Nobody wants to be all sweaty when they fly to Rural King.

 

[dnewton3]

Looks like the unholy child of an EV and a helicopter ...

I admit it's interesting to see tech advance this much. In this controlled environment, it's kinda neat to see.
But I suspect some will say "See - we're getting closer to flying cars!"

IMO, it's fraught with concerns in mass-transit application. Many people can't control land-based cars well enough to be trusted in them. I can't imagine the general public being handed one of these and told "fly to work/market/school" ... Here's why:
- you have to think three-dimensionally (something which some people struggle to do even in two dimensions while driving)
- you have to account for the "float" (essentially air buoyancy for a lack of a better description) as well as "drift" (yaw, etc); not unlike piloting a boat in a current
- you have to anticipate directional changes and "steer" before you move in the desired direction
- etc


Really cool to watch. Really unnerving in practical application.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Ok, how many minutes can they stay in the air?

 

[blain450]

Ok, how many minutes can they stay in the air?

20 Minutes

 

[fdcg27]

I wonder where these things will rate on the lethality scale relative to street bikes and jet skies?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I am impressed they can generate enough lift in such a small package to raise a person.

Yes there will absolutely be military applications for these. I don't expect to see them on my street anytime soon.

 

[mk378]

A "drone" by definition has no pilot on board. If the guy in the seat has control of the aircraft, it's a quadcopter not a drone.

Something like this that flies automatically or remotely and the person on board is only a passenger could be called a "taxi drone" etc.

 

[StarCaller]

Kind of cool, but also kind of crazy /

 

[K2K2]

I wonder where these things will rate on the lethality scale relative to street bikes and jet skies?

Darwin WILL make an appearance. Then, the rich folks that ordered them will sue for lack of automatic "save your butt from your own lack of skill or intelligence" features.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Sort of reminds me of the Ultra Light craze during the 80’s.

 

[fdcg27]

Sort of reminds me of the Ultra Light craze during the 80’s.

At least an ultralight could glide.
These things would descend like a rock with any loss in power.

 

[Astro14]

Yeah - I would call it a quadcopter. I tweaked the thread title - because that's what we're talking about - the product of one company being raced against the same product.

No pilot's license need to own or race one.

What could go wrong?

By the way - it can fly safely with the loss of one of the 8 motors. It has autoland, a ballistic parachute and hands-free hover.
https://jetson.com/