Skyrider X1 aircraft is equipped with 8 propellers, can fly for about 40 minutes and is expected to be launched in 2026.
American company Rictor has unveiled a new flying motorcycle called the Skyrider X1, which promises to take working people flying to escape congested roads. A concept version of the vehicle is on display at the CES 2025 consumer electronics show, which takes place in Las Vegas from January 7 to 10. Rictor already has an electric motorcycle on the market called the Rictor K1.
The Skyrider X1 is equipped with an 8-blade propeller system for stability and redundancy. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h and a maximum flight time of 40 minutes, but this depends on the configuration. The X1 SL model with a 10.5 kWh battery can fly for 25 minutes, while the X1 SX model with a larger 21 kWh battery can fly for 40 minutes.
Rictor says the Skyrider X1 can take off and land automatically, planning an optimal route, likely based on location and battery life. It also adapts to weather and the environment in real time, automatically adjusting altitude, speed, and direction to ensure an efficient, safe journey.
Safety is a top priority in the Skyrider X1’s design, according to Rictor. The vehicle will have a sealed cabin and a triple-redundant control system. It will also have manual controls for pilots who want to take control, including a joystick function. The Skyrider X1 can land safely even if one engine fails, and is equipped with an emergency parachute in case of an emergency.
Rictor plans to launch the Skyrider X1 next year for $60,000. The company envisions that in the near future, personal flight will no longer be a distant dream but a reality.
Rictor’s goal, however, seems daunting. Last year, flying taxi company Volocopter failed to get certification to fly passengers during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Volocopter had previously planned to operate manned flying taxis on designated routes, but eventually filed for bankruptcy. Personal, semi-autonomous, four-rotor flying vehicles are unlikely to appear in urban skies anytime soon.
