I need to have this guy come and hover over my back deck for a bit. posted by exogenous at 10:21 AM on January 29
I had him over yesterday. He steam-cleaned my carpets. posted by terranova at 10:23 AM on January 29 [1 favorite]
I wish they'd let us hear how it really sounds, instead of using that lame music for the sound track. Still, that thing really looks fun to fly. posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:27 AM on January 29
"Wheres the last issue of Planetary?" posted by Artw at 10:28 AM on January 29
Now I just need the world's longest hose and GOODBYE COMMUTE!
(Also, I'd like to see the Mythbusters "bust" this "myth" by which I mean for Adam to get knocked over by the blast.) posted by DU at 10:29 AM on January 29
Should this technology be militarised I can think of a number of effective counter measures. posted by Artw at 10:31 AM on January 29 [2 favorites]
So what's that thing floating behind him? Is that what the pump's mounted on? posted by dunkadunc at 10:33 AM on January 29
That is a really clever design, with the towed engine and high-pressure pump. Obviously kind of useless outside of a large body of water, but I could see this becoming a popular leisure activity.
I wonder if it relies entirely on operator skill or if there are feedback mechanisms to keep the platform within a few degrees of vertical. Is there a proper website for this device? All I can find are more links to the same video. posted by jedicus at 10:35 AM on January 29
I could see this becoming a popular leisure activity.
Probably not super popular with people in the surrounding area. posted by Artw at 10:38 AM on January 29 [1 favorite]
It might be a one-off-- but wow, I would have loved to have had one of those last July. posted by dunkadunc at 10:38 AM on January 29
That is one of the most ridiculous contraptions I've ever seen. Also, various jetpacks have been around for a while, and most of them don't require a giant hose. posted by delmoi at 10:49 AM on January 29
I'm curious what happens if you go too high and lift the pump apparatus off the water. I mean, I know what happens, I just want to see it happen. posted by GuyZero at 10:52 AM on January 29 [1 favorite]
Delmoi, man, you need to get out of the house. That's like complaining that nerf darts don't draw enough blood.
This looks like amazing (and pretty damn eco-friendly) fun. posted by rokusan at 10:52 AM on January 29 [3 favorites]
Eco-friendly like a waterski (i.e. not at all). posted by DU at 10:55 AM on January 29
The original peroxide jetpacks (as seen on Discovery channel) can only run for about 30 seconds at a time, so towing a pump behind means you can fly a lot longer. It's also looks safer (as far as breaking your neck goes) to fly over water, but I wonder how they guard against drowning if you lose power. posted by metaplectic at 11:01 AM on January 29
metaplectic: From the video I don't see any anti-drowning safeguards, but I would assume a commercial version would include a pretty stout life vest, quick-release straps, a water-sensitive airbag system, etc. posted by jedicus at 11:10 AM on January 29
Eco-friendly? What do you think the pump is running on? Wishes and lemonade?
Then again, anyone want to go for a spin around a fire hydrant? posted by ooga_booga at 11:11 AM on January 29
The good news is this is the first alternative transportation technology I've seen that actually embraces global warming, as it will increase in utility as the lowlands flood. posted by Nanukthedog at 11:12 AM on January 29
This makes me about as excited as a fan boat. posted by cashman at 11:16 AM on January 29
The height is probably self-limiting. The higher you go, the more hose you lift out of the water -- and hoses full of water are heavy. posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:17 AM on January 29 [1 favorite]
How excited is a fan boat? posted by DU at 11:24 AM on January 29
"This baby will allow you to live among the clouds for an estimated flight time of 19 minutes,
traveling some 27 miles at a speed of about 83 mph. You can climb 250 feet into the air." posted by metaplectic at 1:15 PM on January 29
Of course, you could surely climb much higher in 19 minutes (probably better to stop after 9.5 though). posted by metaplectic at 1:20 PM on January 29
The hose certainly adds some uprightness stability.
I wonder about that. I mean, a firehose going full tilt is pretty rigid. I wonder how much force the hose itself exerts on the person wearing the jetpack - although I doubt the floating pump provides enough buoyancy to make much of a difference. I wonder if you can sink the floater and swamp the pump motor. That would be bad. posted by GuyZero at 1:22 PM on January 29
You know, if you had a steel armature inside the feed hose, the output could just be a sprinkle but you could set it up to produce a similar appearance. It's funny, the psychological difference between being hoisted on a crane arm, and jetpack! posted by chortly at 1:39 PM on January 29
Every time someone says, "Hey, it's 2009! Where's my flying car/jet pack/robot wife?!" I cry a single tear for the architects of the internet, an invention nearly no one saw coming but which has offered more than anyone could have predicted. Sure, we could fly from a suburb in Missouri to NY in less than an hour if Toyota developed a supersonic jetcar, but now we can just get the documents there in under 30 seconds or telecommute via webcam.
Besides, I'm pretty sure if you don't take time to appreciate it, some people will be happy to take it away. posted by mccarty.tim at 2:06 PM on January 29
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posted by exogenous at 10:21 AM on January 29