![]() Look for an official prototype sometime in 2017, Maalouf said. Maalouf said his team intends to power their Omni using gasoline-fueled engines. Hoverboards need a lightweight power system that lasts long enough for the vehicle to be useful. They also might be used to inspect bridges or as FEMA rescue vehicles, to pluck people from dangerous floodwaters.Ī few tech hurdles still need to be overcome. “But I think regulation might prevent that.” More likely they would be developed for recreation - the way people use ATVs, he said. “Someday, maybe you could commute to work with one of these things,” said Maalouf. These are serious inventions being designed by engineers looking to move forward in the worlds of sports, recreation, policing, military and urban transportation. Let’s be clear about real hoverboards: They aren’t a trend aimed at making a quick buck from a Marty McFly fanboy fantasy. ![]() But on the Omni, “you feel like it’s you who’s flying. In most flying vehicles, “you feel like you’re riding on the back of a dragon,” Maalouf said. Maalouf has flown an early version of the machine, and the way he talks about it, it brings you pretty darn close to flying like Superman. Fascinating video shows the Omni taking flight a few feet above water and kicking up a cloud of vapor and debris. Last summer, an early version shattered a Guinness distance record of 905 feet. ![]() Imagine standing above tiny helicopter blades as they push you up into the air. As the CEO at Omni Hoverboards, he’s leading a small team developing a real hoverboard. Maalouf has a big reason to be interested. “I was like, are people aware that this board is not even hovering? It’s on wheels!” “I’m watching all these news reports saying ‘hoverboard’ with a straight face - and it’s not,” he said. That’s the sore point for Canadian entrepreneur Philippe Maalouf. Worst part of the whole debacle: The so-called hoverboards don’t actually hover. Jeez, Mike Tyson couldn’t even remain upright on one, and he’s an ex-world champion athlete. Needless to say, the reputation of the two-wheeled toys has suffered a bit of a beatdown – with the reported fires and airline bans. Have you heard enough about “hoverboards” yet?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |