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Science News

Flying 'helicopter' bike unveiled in Prague

Flying bicycle unveiled in Prague takes first five-minute test flight in this
video.

By KRISTEN BUTLER, UPI.com | Blog

Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of a flying electric
bicycle that successfully took a test flight Wednesday inside an exhibition
hall in Prague.

It looks like a mountain bike with attached industrial fans -- a bit like a
helicopter. It weighs just over 200 pounds and has two battery-powered
propellers in the front, two in the back and one each on the side to provide
lift and balance.

Czech Republic companies Duratec Bicycles, Technodat and Evektor developed the
flying bike with support from French company Dassault Systèmes.

A lightweight dummy rode in the saddle for the remote-controlled test flight in
front of press. Milan Duchek, technical director of Duratec, says more powerful
batteries will be needed before the machine can carry a human.

But as battery power and capacity improves, city cyclists could find themselves
flying high above traffic. Engineers hope their invention will be used not just
for commuting, but for sport, tourism and recreation.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...?utm_hp_ref=uk

http://youtu.be/hcXgKe8h0og