Flying Jetpack
January 29, 2009 10:16 AM Subscribe
"OK, it's the 21st Century," you say. "Where's my jetpack?" Here you go!
I had him over yesterday. He steam-cleaned my carpets.
posted by terranova at 10:23 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by terranova at 10:23 AM on January 29, 2009 [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, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:27 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
(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, 2009
You could watch the Benny Hillified version, I suppose.
posted by jquinby at 10:30 AM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by jquinby at 10:30 AM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
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, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:31 AM on January 29, 2009 [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, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 10:33 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009 [1 favorite]
Probably not super popular with people in the surrounding area.
posted by Artw at 10:38 AM on January 29, 2009 [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, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 10:38 AM on January 29, 2009
The tube should be clear so you can see the fish that it sucks up.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:47 AM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:47 AM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
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, 2009
posted by delmoi at 10:49 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by GuyZero at 10:52 AM on January 29, 2009 [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, 2009 [3 favorites]
This looks like amazing (and pretty damn eco-friendly) fun.
posted by rokusan at 10:52 AM on January 29, 2009 [3 favorites]
Awesome.
posted by Perplexity at 10:56 AM on January 29, 2009
posted by Perplexity at 10:56 AM on January 29, 2009
Jet ski pack?
posted by evidenceofabsence at 10:59 AM on January 29, 2009
posted by evidenceofabsence at 10:59 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
posted by metaplectic at 11:01 AM on January 29, 2009
Jetpack, shmetpack. Too much work.
I want my flying car!
posted by SteveInMaine at 11:08 AM on January 29, 2009
I want my flying car!
posted by SteveInMaine at 11:08 AM on January 29, 2009
I wonder how they guard against drowning if you lose power.
I don't see any reason why the jetpack couldn't have enough styrofoam mounted on it so that it has positive buoyancy.
Anyway, it's obvious that this is the kind of thing that you do with a support crew.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:09 AM on January 29, 2009
I don't see any reason why the jetpack couldn't have enough styrofoam mounted on it so that it has positive buoyancy.
Anyway, it's obvious that this is the kind of thing that you do with a support crew.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:09 AM on January 29, 2009
This was supposed to be the future
Where is my jetpack,
where is my dinner in pill form,
where is my hydrogen fueled automobile,
where is my nuclear-powered levitating house,
where is my cure for this disease
posted by filthy light thief at 11:09 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Where is my jetpack,
where is my dinner in pill form,
where is my hydrogen fueled automobile,
where is my nuclear-powered levitating house,
where is my cure for this disease
posted by filthy light thief at 11:09 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
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, 2009
posted by jedicus at 11:10 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
Then again, anyone want to go for a spin around a fire hydrant?
posted by ooga_booga at 11:11 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:12 AM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:17 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
I have had my own jet pack for years.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:33 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:33 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Metafilter: What do you think [it's] running on? Wishes and lemonade?
if only
posted by jquinby at 11:34 AM on January 29, 2009
if only
posted by jquinby at 11:34 AM on January 29, 2009
[Jetpants] InfoMole
Did you mean: Jet Packs ?
posted by defenestration at 11:55 AM on January 29, 2009
Did you mean: Jet Packs ?
posted by defenestration at 11:55 AM on January 29, 2009
...nerf darts don't draw enough blood.
They don't draw any blood. They're completely useless.
posted by RussHy at 12:00 PM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
They don't draw any blood. They're completely useless.
posted by RussHy at 12:00 PM on January 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
"OK, it's the 21st Century," you say.
Yeah. And then I looked at that URL and thought, "The Spark still exists"?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:14 PM on January 29, 2009
Yeah. And then I looked at that URL and thought, "The Spark still exists"?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:14 PM on January 29, 2009
Where's my hovercraft?
Where's my jet pack?
Where's the font of acquired wisdom that eludes me now?
posted by owtytrof at 12:29 PM on January 29, 2009
Where's my jet pack?
Where's the font of acquired wisdom that eludes me now?
posted by owtytrof at 12:29 PM on January 29, 2009
SHINE GET!
posted by Smart Dalek at 12:29 PM on January 29, 2009
posted by Smart Dalek at 12:29 PM on January 29, 2009
Blocked by my work filter as "Adult/Sexually Explicit". Sometimes I wonder about that filter.
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:32 PM on January 29, 2009
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:32 PM on January 29, 2009
Blocked by my work filter as "Adult/Sexually Explicit". Sometimes I wonder about that filter.
Wow. I think I just had my million-dollar idea.
How do I get some test subjects?
posted by rokusan at 1:00 PM on January 29, 2009
Wow. I think I just had my million-dollar idea.
How do I get some test subjects?
posted by rokusan at 1:00 PM on January 29, 2009
(and pretty damn eco-friendly)
Really?
I forgot the "compared to rocket fuel". But it was in my head. :)
posted by rokusan at 1:01 PM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Really?
I forgot the "compared to rocket fuel". But it was in my head. :)
posted by rokusan at 1:01 PM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Hmm, here's a real jet (engine) pack: Jet Pack International's T-73.
"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, 2009
"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, 2009
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, 2009
posted by metaplectic at 1:20 PM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
posted by chortly at 1:39 PM on January 29, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
WANT! pls jetpack me now thx
posted by not_on_display at 7:27 AM on February 4, 2009
posted by not_on_display at 7:27 AM on February 4, 2009
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posted by exogenous at 10:21 AM on January 29, 2009 [1 favorite]