Dubai has fully embraced technology integration, testing autonomous police robots, concept hover-taxis, and cutting-edge crime prediction software, just to name a few.
Now, the Dubai Police plan to add the Hoversurf Scorpion craft to its arsenal, which was recently unveiled at the GITEX Technology Week conference. The city aims to take the hoverbike for a spin during emergency situations, for bypassing congested traffic.
The vehicle is fully electric, Russian-made, and can withstand up to 600 pounds of payload. The craft fits a single rider, supported by four unprotected propellers to remain airborne.
Operations can last up to 25 minutes after each three-hour charge, hitting a top flight speed of 43 mph and maximum height of 16 feet. When necessary, the Hoversurf can switch to full autonomy up to four miles, cranking up the speed to around 62 mph.
Dubai’s latest high-tech addition is based off of the existing Scorpion platform, which according to the company, is “a single-seat aircraft that rediscovers the art of flying and hovering enabling a hi-tech quadcopter-based solution.”
Hoversurf CEO Alexander Atamanov announced on Facebook that the company and Dubai Police signed a memorandum of understanding, followed by an open invitation to begin mass production in the Dubai area. Although, further testing, safety measures, and upgrades are necessary until the hoverbike is ready to enter the field.
Watch a Dubai test flight in the video below.
Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications