Hoversurf, a Russian flying motorcycle, has been getting a lot of press lately. “Looks like a hell of a ride,” trumpets TheNextWeb. Mashable headlines, “The first manned hoverbike could finally fulfill your ‘Star Wars’ dreams,” but points out, “Those dangerous-looking propellers spinning right next to the pilot’s legs.” New Atlas (formerly Gizmag) says it is, “Equally amazing and horrifying.” Hoversurf’s Scorpion evokes Star Wars with its clean white gloss. But like the movie’s speeder bikes flung about by heroes and villains alike, seems equally dangerous with its wooden propellers at two different heights – ankle-biter and knee-slapper. Protective shields theoretically will prevent slicing and dicing, and future plans call for an enclosed cabin with the occupant more secure from maceration. Some qualms persist. Rivals like e-volo’s Volocopter spread lift over 16 propellers, and the eHang 184 has eight blades. The lack of redundancy at the four corners might be a problem if one motor or reduction belt fails. Rivals feature …
