Polish company Maviator has created Europe’s first and the world’s second flying motorbike. The machine is intended to be used for aerial recreation but also could potentially used for emergency services and military applications.
Prototypes of the electric SkyRacer X1 have already passed a series of manned tests, and now the Gdynia-based developers are looking to raise 3.5 million złoty to develop a final version.
Capable of reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour, the SkyRacer X1 has three flight modes, including an ‘amateur mode’ that will provide inexperienced users the chance to fly automatically.
Commercial production of the flying scooter is set to begin in 2025. Photo: press materials
“Star Wars fans might liken it to the Speeder Bike, but we were actually inspired by sports motorbikes and the Superman flight simulator,” says Mariusz Pułas, the Maviator Group’s chief technology officer.
“The futuristic look emphasizes that we’ve entered a new era of flying, and what we’re aiming to offer is a completely different flight experience with an incomparable sense of freedom and a large dose of adrenaline.”
Powered by eight electrical engines, flight time currently peaks at 20 minutes, though this is set to increase to 45-60 minutes with the 2026 development of the X2 version.
This, according to the firm, will widen the scooter’s marketability, a point heightened by its simple operating system.
Co-founder Sebastian Nowicki expects the vehicle to cost approximately the same as a sports motorboat.
“We are not targeting a narrow group of people with specific skills and qualifications, as is the case with traditional aviation,” he says.
“The SkyRacer X1 has been created with ease of piloting in mind, similar to that of commercial drones, so it will be available to almost anyone.” While recreational users will be the primary target group, Nowicki claims that the scooter’s nimble nature makes it perfect for other purposes, too.
“The military has already expressed interest, and it could be ideal for silent, precise missions to hard-to-reach areas,” he says. Despite the vehicle’s experimental nature, safety has been a key focus, according to the company. The machine is designed to continue flying in emergency mode even in the event of two of its engines failing.
“Additionally, its open design means that users will be able to deploy a parachute and leave the vehicle while it’s flying,” says Nowicki.
As things stand, final manned tests have been scheduled for the first half of the 2025 financial calendar, with Maviator aiming to begin commercial production of the scooter in the second half of the year.
