Switchblade is Samson Motorworks’ way of combining the need for a flying car and a roadster airplane.
The three-wheeled flying motorcycle has scissor-like wings and a torsion bar lean system when it is on the ground, turning it into a road rocket.
Makers are hoping to launch Switchblade in 2010.
Implications - The ability of an airplane to convert itself into a road-ready vehicle could have tremendous impact on future transportation innovations and auto design. Future vehicles designed with flying capabilities, or vice versa, could mean less congestion on roads, decreased travel times, greater fuel-efficiencies and more eco-friendly travel as well as reduced costs to consumers.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Flying Motorcycles
- Development of flying motorcycles with roadster airplane capabilities and scissor-like wings and torsion bar lean system for ground transportation.
- Multi-use Vehicles
- Trend towards multi-use vehicles that have both flying and ground capabilities creating potentially eco-friendly, time-efficient, and less congested modes of transportation.
- Road and Air Travel Intersections
- Intersection of road and air travel through vehicles with hybrid capabilities presents unique opportunities for innovation in auto and aircraft design.
Where This Applies
- Automotive Manufacturing
- Opportunity for automotive manufacturers to innovate and incorporate flying capabilities in new vehicle designs.
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Opportunity for aerospace manufacturers to partner with auto manufacturers to create new vehicles with hybrid capabilities.
- Smart Transportation
- Smart transportation industry can explore the potential for multi-use vehicles to address challenges such as traffic congestion and transportation emissions.
