Get Airborne on a Flying Bike

Would you take a ride on the world’s first flying bike? Thanks to AERWINS Technologies, this dream could be a reality in 2023 with the XTURISMO bike.

The XTURISMO hoverbike is developed by Japanese startup AERWINS Technologies. According to the website, it was inspired by Star Wars and is “a manifestation of the dream of air mobility.”

The bike operates with two large central rotors powered by a 228-hp gas-powered Kawasaki motor, an engine designed for motorcycle competition. Four smaller fans on the vehicle’s outer edges are powered by electric motors to provide stability. The 12-foot-long bike can fly for 40 minutes and reach speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. 

AERWINS’ ultimate goal is to have street-legal, all-electric hoverbikes mass-produced for urban use. The company also notes that the bike could be used for practical applications like disaster relief, search and rescue missions, and infrastructure inspection. The world’s first flying bike is already on sale in Japan—the first delivery was officially made on December 16, 2022. However, XTURISMO is currently restricted to flying solely over designated racetracks in Japan. 

The bike made its United States debut in September 2022 at the Detroit Auto Show where some attendees took the bike for a test drive, such as the co-chair of the auto show, Thad Szott. As Szott excitedly told Euronews, “I mean, it’s awesome! Of course, you have a little apprehension, but I was just so amped. I literally had goosebumps and feel like a little kid.”

XTRUSIMO will be on sale in the US in 2023 for $777,000. According to Shuhei Komatsu, the company’s CEO, AERWINS hopes to lower the cost to $50,000 for a smaller electric model by 2025.

To further add to AERWINS Technologies’ global expansion, the company officially merged with Pono Capital Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in February 2023. The company subsequently began trading on the Nasdaq. In a statement, executives of both companies expressed their gratitude for the merger and excitement for the Nasdaq listing.